05 of 9 · Flight engineer / top turret

Earle F. Bogacki

Cleveland, Ohio

Serial 35316394 · 30 in the compilation · −1 · absent 19 March, Jena

Flight engineer Earle F. Bogacki in a B-17, looking down at a chart, a hatch open above him — Earle F. Bogacki, flight engineer. A chart in his hands and the hatch above him. The name on the print was added later.Family collection · Open the plate

Born 1920 to Frank and Stella Bojack, a surname later changed to Bogacki — which is very likely why a contemporary wallet clipping printed “Nogacki” and still got the city right. Thirty in the compilation. One morning out: Jena, 19 March. Serial 35: Fifth Service Command. Cleveland, from a source that has nothing to do with the clipping that got his surname wrong.

Stayed in uniform thirty-one years, rising to Chief Master Sergeant through Korea and Vietnam. Married Emily “Lu” McGrath on 3 May 1952. Died 14 February 2011 at ninety, buried with full military honors.

Nine men, four totals. The compilation’s count, beside the other eight.

In the record

95th BG databaseModern compilation of the group’s crew record. Not a paper issued at Horham.
Emily “Lu” BogackiHer 2020 obituary. Names him, and the rank. Not his own page.

Cite this

Earle F. Bogacki, Flight engineer / top turret. The Spirit of Martinez. https://spiritofmartinez.com/crew/bogacki