Barney Wasowicz’s B-26 Marauder was shot down by a German Focke-Wulf 190 over occupied France in 1944. He then spent 16 months as a German prisoner of war. Watch as Wasowicz is reunited with “North American’s only intact B-26.”
After the war, Wasowicz chose once again to serve others by becoming a Detroit firefighter. Now, some 71 years later, Wasowicz said, “Eventually I forgot about the war. I think everything would have become a blur if I hadn’t run across the opportunity to see the last B-26 bomber. When John Stonecipher of Guidance Aviation heard about my story, he offered to fly me to Fantasy of Flight to see it.”
Focke-Wulf 190
The video covers Wasowicz’s flight to visit the only flying B-26 in existence, a flight that sparks the memories of a living hero of the Greatest Generation.
Martin B-26 Marauder
Images courtesy: Airwolfhound, Mark Jones Jr.
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Absolutely Wonderful Story…I for one am extremely grateful for that mans sacrifice
Thank you Guidance Aviation for doing that for him, and us as well. Sure brought tears to my eyes.
I am sure this old pilot hates wars now and wishes no more wars are ignited any more any where around the globe
And another great veteran’s story who flew the B26, just like my dad did ! They called this plane the Widow maker (lots of fatal accidents during training) and also the Flying prostitute … because it had few visible means of support …
What a great story! I only wish some of the Dimwits in Washington D.C. and the FAA had half of this gentleman’s integrity and fortitude.
Beautiful story! Only comment is that the aircraft was built by Martin Aircraft Company at Martin State Airport in Baltimore, MD. It was not built by North American (that was the B-25).
Nice story!!