Terlizzi, Michael B-17 Flight Engineer

Michael Terlizzi was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the age of 18, Terlizzi volunteered to join the Army Air Corps. He was first sent to Miami for basic training and while there he took the Aviation Cadet Exam. After passing the exam, he was sent to Santa Ana for classification testing. Because he had prior experience with plane mechanics, it was determined that he would train to become a flight engineer/gunner. He was sent to Amarillo, Texas to attend aircraft and engine school. After this training Terlizzi was sent to Kingman, Arizona for gunnery school. When it came time to form a crew, Terlizzi was sent to Sioux City, Iowa. He was assigned to be the engineer and top turret operator for crew #21, 568th squadron. After completing their phase training, the crew spent some time in Boston before boarding a ship to be sent to England. The crew arrived at Framlingham Base in December of 1944. Terlizzi would serve until the war in England ended, totaling 28 combat missions, plus a few for Operation Chowhound.