TSGT. Andrew J. "ANDY" Choka was an Aerial Engineer and Gunner; as well as a Photographer; and served with the 12th Air Force; 57th Bombardment Wing; 321st Bombardment Group; 445th Bombardment Squadron; stationed in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, (MTO).

On 03 November 1943, TSGT Andrew Choka was flying as the flight Engineer.

Wednesday, 3 November 1943
445th BS: Extracts from Missing Air Crew Report # 1198: Aircraft 42-32486 was seen to go down in the Eleusis Bay, approximately one half mile from the shore, west of Eleusis, Greece, 3 November 1943. The plane was seen to hit the water and explode. This was observed through a hole in the heavy layer of stratus clouds at 7000 feet.

B-25; Serial No. 42-32486; Plane Nicknamed:“CENSORED”; MACR-1198; Shot down by flak; crashed into Eleusis Bay, Greece; half-mile off shore
P: Miller, Gail G., 2Lt -KIA
CP: Standley, Charles A., 2Lt - KIA
N: None
B: Zimmer, Paul E., Cpl - KIA, buried in Florence
E: Choka, Andrew J., T/Sgt - KIA,
R: Fehr, Robert A. “Bob”, S/Sgt - KIA, buried in Florence
G: Quintin, Stanley J., S/Sgt - KIA, buried in Florence
F: None

Eyewitness Accounts: Gibbons, James (NMI), Jr., 1Lt, bombardier, navigator, 448th BS

1st Lieut. James Gibbons, bombardier in the lead plane (41-30548) of the third flight, makes the following statement: “I saw the plane receive a direct hit on the right vertical stabilizer of the tail assembly before the town of Eleusis enroute to the target. The plane slid out of formation to the left and back to the rear where it rolled over and began to spin to the ground. The right rudder and horizontal stabilizer were shot away and the turret dome blown off. It appeared that the plane would pull out. Both of the engines were in operation and the plane spinned down slowly, remaining in an almost flat position. I watched the plane until it crashed into the water and exploded. I saw one parachute open.” ---------------------------------------------

Eyewitness Accounts: Hammerschmiedt, Harry E., S/Sgt, gunner, bombardier, 448th BS

Said S/Sgt. Harry Hammerschmiedt, bombardier in number three plane (4130343), fourth element of the last flight: “I saw a direct flak hit made on the horizontal stabilizer of the bomber which caused the right half of the tail assembly to fall away. The plane fell out of formation, rolled over and began to spin to the ground. The turret dome, which had blown off; and what appeared to be the right bomb bay door were falling to the ground. Several times it looked as though the plane would recover from the spin but the bomber continued downward. I followed the plane until it hit the water and exploded.

Andrew J Choka