John Muka
Harwood Heights IL 60706-3519
Proud Veteran
Standing (L-R) TG Leonard D. Hulbert KIA, NG Robert E. Page KIA, R/O Morris Epstein KIA, ENG Robert R. Hartong KIA, WG John J. Muka POW, WG Macvlovio Olivas POW
Kneeling (L-R) P James H. Dodd KIA, CP Carl T. Sholander KIA, N Kennneth T. Fleming KIA
Not Pictured Matthew A. Bartnowski KIA
28 January 1945
Target: Dortmund
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #11995 AIRCRAFT: #42-95164 "LADY EVE" "P-Plus" 26th Mission
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Lt. Pope, Pilot 577th, gave an after-mission account that this aircraft had rolled over into another plane formation, the ship of Lt. Schuster's, #42-50868. The direct cause of this tragedy was never stated in any MACR reporting. German Report #KU3666 reported the crash of this ship near the town of Gerbeck around 1230 hours. Eight (8) members were found dead near the scene, and (2) crew men had successfully bailed out and were taken prisoner. Sgt. Muka, one of two including Sgt. Olivas, was wounded and taken to a German hospital. It was note that Sgt. Olivas was transferred to the interrogation center at Dulag-Luft West upon capture. All deceased members were positively identified in this report.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: No such record exists in his aircrew MACR file.
In an article in the February 1992 issue of the 392nd BGMA News, John Muka provided these details: "When the plane went out of control, I remember getting the rear hatch open and then I was blown clear and was free-falling. I pulled the ripcord and the chute opened. The air was very cold and my gauntlets were blown off, and my hands were frostbitten. I landed in deep snow, but was unable to move because of my broken legs. Soon I was surrounded by German civilians, and they dragged me into a nearby town on a pair of skis. I was transproted to a hospital, where a German doctor operated on my legs and I woke up in traction. I found out later the hospital was in the Ludensheild area. While in hospital, I sweated out Allies air raids. Although I could heart bombs exploding and machine-gun fire from strafing fightes, the hospital was never hit. On April, 14, 1945 I could hear shelling and small arms fire and on the next day and American medic from the 8th Division wafted into my room"
