Joseph B. Michalski was born on 3 February 1922.  He was the son of Sadie C. Michalski of 9 Brosville Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and he had a brother named Leo. Joseph entered the service on 17 August 1943 and was assigned to the 421st Bomb Squadron of the 305th Bomb Group.  He served as the Tail Gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress that was piloted by Darrel V. Betz. On 16 August 1944, the crew was on a mission to bomb an airfield near Bohlen in Germany.  On route to the target, the bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire that disabled the cotrols.  It went into a spin and crashed at Vollradisroda, Germany.  Fire enveloped the bomber, and the full load of bombs on board exploded. Only the pilot survived. The crew’s Bombardier, James E. Mauzy, its Ball Turret Gunner, William D Dunn, and its Top Turret Gunner, Richard D O’Brien are also buried at the Ardennes American Cemetery.

Information from the IDPF of Joseph B Michalski, http://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/media/media-15837.pdf