Staff Sergeant Raymond J. Kania, 25, a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber, has completed 18 months of overseas duty,
and recently returned to United States and is spending his leave with his brother and sister-in-law.
One of the local man's assignments has been in the China-Burma-India Theater of War.
Sergeant Kania arrived in New York Oct. 15th and Oct. 16th was taken to Camp Kilmer where he was hospitalized for 25 days
for Malaria. He was released from the hospital Nov. 12th and is spending his leave with his brother and two sisters.
He will report to Atlantic City, Dec. 3rd.
ON 41 BOMBING MISSIONS
He has been on 41 bombing missions and 403 hours credit flying to and from targets. He was a member of the crew of the
Liberator "Apocalypse." He has been in three crash landings, while returning from missions, due to enemy fire.
Each time he has escaped serious injury. Only five of his original crew of ten are left. The others have met their
misfortune at the time of heated battle. Kania himself, had the good fortune of being twice hit by flak and escaped
injury. He was struck in hip, and through the sleeve, but his flak suit saved him.
LONGEST MISSION OVER WATER
His crew is credited of the longest mission over water to a target. it took 7 hours 10 min. to reach the target, 15 min.
over it and there return making a total of 14 hours, 35 min. The crew was recently awarded the Presidential Citation
for sinking a large Jap transport at Rangoon, Burma.
He holds the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, awarded him in June, for "extraordinary achievement
by participating in combat missions totaling more than 200 hours in combat during which exposure to enemy fire was probable
and expected."
CREDITED WITH THREE JAP PLANES
He is credited with bringing down 3 Jap planes with four "probables." He wears the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster,
the Good Conduct Medal, The Asiatic Campaign Ribbon and the B.I.C. British Cross and the CBI "Flag of Eastern Asia."
Sergeant Kania enlisted Sept. 27th 1942 and is now stationed in Honshu, Japan.
(Adapted from a local newspaper article)
Crew of Apocalypse, prior to a mission, left to right:
S/Sgt. Frank J. Tedone, Engineer;
S/Sgt. Raymond J. Kania, Tail Gunner;
S/Sgt. Roman J. Ropinski, Asst. Engineer;
Lt. Carl A. Smith, Bombardier;
Lt. Bowes, Navigator;
F/O Claude E. Rhodes, Jr., Pilot;
S/Sgt. Walter Powena, Armament, Gunner;
S/Sgt. Claude E. Mixins, Asst. Radio Operator;
Sgt. Michael A. Castelles, Radio Operator.
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Crew of Apocalypse, left to right:
S/Sgt. Raymond J. Kania, Tail Gunner;
S/Sgt. Frank J. Tedone, Engineer;
S/Sgt. Roman J. Ropinski, Asst. Engineer;
S/Sgt. Walter Powena, Armament, Gunner;
S/Sgt. Claude E. Mixins, Asst. Radio Operator;
Lt. Carl A. Smith, Bombardier;
Sgt. Mike Astillo, Radio Operator;
F/O Claude E. Rhodes, Jr., Pilot.
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Apocalypse Then
