
Killed in action, 15 March 1945, Germany

12 May 1944 TSGT Sator Sierra Sanchez, 353rd BS/301st BG, completes his 44th combat mission. Brand new B-17G-45-BO, 42-97290, named Smilin’ Sandy Sanchez in his honor


SS DFC Soldier’s Medal PH w/ 1 OLC, AM w/8 OLC 2/s 1/brnz
22 March 1921–15 March 1945
b. Joliet Township, Illinois
5’8″ 138



B-17 Flying Fortress 42-97290 BG-H
Delivered Cheyenne 15/2/44; Kearney 27/2/44; Presque Is 11/3/44; Assigned 398BG Nuthampstead 22/4/44; transferred 334BS/95BG [BG-H] Horham 28/4/44; 23m Missing in Action Berlin 19/5/44 with Capt Bill Waltman, Co-pilot: Wayne McCallon, Navigator: Henry Robertson, Bombardier: Jim Fournier, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Dale Grossman, Radio Operator: Harry Myers, Ball turret gunner: Russ Brainard, Waist gunner: Jim Coppage, Waist gunner: Winfred Wright, Tail gunner: Albt Faust (10 INT); suffered battle damage and crash landed Akesholm, Sweden. Missing Air Crew Report 4928. SMILIN’ SANDY SANCHEZ. (Named after a so called tail gunner.)

https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AFEHRI/documents/HispanicAmericanAccomplishment/SatorSanchezWWIIGunnerandHero.pdf