Max was born in 1920 in West Virginia, finished 4 years of High School, was accepted into the Air Corps, entered the Service 27 Jan. 1942, as an Aviation Cadet, at Ft Hayes, Columbus, OHIO. He was single and working in Industrial Metal when he joined. He was a commissioned LT Bombardier in the 340thBG, 487thBS.

Antonio Wanacole has this Medal, he originally thought the Aviator was KIA/ but it appears it was a lost item. This is Antonio's description of this and is Antonio's "Story" from 2007 ………………. Barbara Connolly 2010

OK, Barbie, (May, 2007) thanks for your fast reply.- Yes, I live in South Italy, 150 km, below Naples- in Sala Consilina, province of Salerno- I have this medal about 40 years, I have had from a people of my town, but he have found in his home, where is so long time.- The medal is make, on 2 coins- 2 italian lire, silver- of 1915 - a coin fairly scarce -solded in the middle- the work is done by a clever silversmith.- On one side is written the name of soldier and the group, with the symbol of group- a bomb in 2 wings.- Is an extraordinary beatiful item, in his extreme simplicity.- I am born in a little town,Sant'Arsenio, the day 5 september 1943.- is a true pleasure to hear from you, I have this medal so may time, I am a collector of ol guns- but my interest are also in other war items- I send you some picture of medal, please send me some information about the name on it.- ( Barbi placed the 57th BW Gallery Album, see link to the left)

Hello Barbie,you make a wonderful thing.!! Yes, the coin -recto and verso- on one side, the bomb wings on the other.- The ring, in the hole, is a ring of an old pocket watch, in silver; and I have put in many time ago- because I have bring this medal on my neck, with a leather string, sometime in the summer.-When I was young.- When I am born, after 3 days, is started an allied attack, with bombs an other, my mother was frightened and I am spend many days in the cellar of my ancient home.- Was buid in the 16° century, and was seriusly demaged in the 1980, with the earthquake.-

How it started, a note on the List Server;

5 April. 2007 …Transmitted via the '57th Bomb Wing Research List'
I have an old silver medal (2 italian coins)with this isnscription: CORSICA Lt. M.J.LUKAS - 340 th Bomb Group.- Yon can help me to find his information in the 57th bomb wing.- Thanks and regards from Italy Antonio Wancolle PS. I have trY to send some picture of item, but is no possible, your server no receive.- If you send me a postal addrees I send a picture to you.-

April, 2007 I have an old silver medal (2 italian coins)with this isnscription: CORSICA Lt. M.J.LUKAS - 340 th Bomb Group.- Yon can help me to find his information in the 57th bomb wing.- Thanks and regards from Italy Antonio Wancolle

Max flew in Ship 44-30537‏ as well as others (from 9 June, 2007) Note from Charles Eaton. HELLO CHARLES H EATON SORRY, BUT I HAVE NO INFORMATION ABOUT.- I HAVE ONLY A PERSONAL MEDAL OF LT.M.J LUKAS, IN THE 340th BOMB GROUP-CORSICA.- I WILL VERY GLAD TO HAVE INFORMATION OF THIS AVIATOR.-THANKS AND REGARDS FROM ITALY ANTONIO WANCOLLE 11 May, 2007 to Barbi Ennis Connolly Hello Barbi, I am returned from Rome, Now I have to reply an e.mail to Don Kaiser, with a pictures of medal of M.J.Lukas- We will hear in the next time, many best regards and blessings, Antonio

11 May, 2007 FROM Barbi Ennis Connolly, Thank you Antonio, did you receive the picture of LUKAS, I sent to you and another from the 340th BG and 487th BS………………… soon others will get back to us with more information, I hope. Blessings, Barbi…………..I also sent all of this to Don, he does the web-sites on some of these Groups…..Great guy ! :) -B

May 2007 Hello Barbie, you make a wonderful thing.!! Yes, the coin -recto and verso- on one side, the bomb wings on the other.- The ring, in the hole, is a ring of an old pocket watch, in silver; and I have put in many time ago- because I have bring this medal on my neck, with a leather string, sometime in the summer.-When I was young.- My best regards from Italy, for you and your family.- Blessing

Hello Dear Barbi and Paul, I am happy to hear from you.- I hope you are fine, as my heart to wish.- In this time, I have often read the stories about the 57° Bomb Wing, with great plesure.- So, if you think that the Lukas medal story is beautiful; Is a pleasure to help to remember many boys, that have lost its young life, before the time.- Antonio

* On a personal note, Antonio has been a friend and I was able to locate enough information to discover that Max did indeed return to the States. Antonio was born 5 Sept. 1943, the 1st Group on the mainland was 3 Oct. '43, (Antonio not quite a month old) the 321st BG into Grotagglie A/D Mission Ready for 4 Oct. 1943 to Ethisius, Athens. My Dad/Edward Ennis was in that Group and his Ship crashed just after take-off (one man died) Barbara Ennis Connolly Feb. 2010 **

Max J Lukas