Stanislaus L. Mikolajczyk.
Co-Pilot · 328th Squadron · Of Brooklyn, NY.
The man.
2nd Lt. Stanislaus L. Mikolajczyk served as co-pilot of B-24J 42-99949 ("Naughty Man"), 328th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group.
On 21 September 1944 over Belgium, Mikolajczyk was observing while the pilot flew on instruments. He spotted an aircraft approaching in a right bank at ten o'clock and grabbed the controls in a desperate attempt to pull their ship up and over it. The collision could not be avoided. He managed to escape the stricken aircraft and landed safely, returning to duty.
From the 2nd Air Division Association Yearbook
Assigned to 93rd Bomb Group, 328th Sqdn. (Ted's Flying Circus) in June 1944 as B-24 co-pilot. On Sept. 21, 1944, was in a mid-air collision with a 330th Sqdn. B-24 — only the flight deck of his plane survived. Flew an additional 16 missions to complete his tour.
Service record.
Missions flown.
Before and after.
Born March 29, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY. Enlisted in USAAC in November 1942. Graduated pilot training at Moody Field, GA in March 1944. Trained as B-24 co-pilot at Savannah, GA.
Returned to the States in March 1945; assigned to fly MATS and FTM. Separated from service in October 1945 at Mitchell Field, NY. Married Dorothy (the girl next door) in June 1948; two sons, one daughter, one grandson. Received BBA from Fordham University in May 1950. Worked as accountant for NYC firm; became CPA and partner. Retired in 1988.