Louis A Dorio

Born Louis A. Dorio on 19 April 1922 in White Plains, New York the 4th of 9 children to parents Alphonso Dorio (b. 1888* in Serracapriola, Italy) and Elvira Dorio (b. 26 Jan 1895 in Chieuti, Italy d. Oct 1981).

Enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 21 July 1943 at New York City, New York.  Underwent B-29 aircraft transition and combat crew training at McCook, Nebraska and Pyote, Texas.  He out-processed through Herington Air Field, Kansas and deployed from Hamilton Field, California to the Central Pacific Theatre of Operations and was assigned to 20th Air Force, XXI Bomber Command, 73rd Bomb Wing, 500th Bombardment Group (VH), 881st Bomb Squadron stationed at Isley Field on Saipan in the Mariana Islands.  During the night of 23-24 May 1945, he flew as an Aerial Gunner in the tail turret station aboard a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Tail Code: Z-Square-7 (serial #42-63486).  It was one of 520 aircraft launched in multi-wing group formations to bombard the urban-industrial area south of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan.  After bombs away, the plane’s right wing was set afire by flak from anti-aircraft artillery.  While departing the target area, the plane was hit with flak in the rear fuselage that destroyed all the flight controls including the intercom.  During aircrew bail-out, the plane exploded in mid-air and fell into Tokyo Bay.  He was declared KIA on 24 May 1945.