Andrew Anzanos story is a great one. A fearless gunner, serving in the 8th AF Bomber Command, flying over Europe in his B-17 and defending it from the enemy attacks from his upper turret twin 0,50''s. After the war, he became an aeronautical engineer, he obtained his pilot license and later worked for McDonnell Douglas in various aircraft and space programs. Our team was lucky to be in touch with him many years ago. Unfortunately that time we were just researching as we didn't have the resources to have either a website or writing books. Now its time to honor him. We are very proud that we had a chance to exchange emails and learn more about him. Andrew was able to publish a book with his memoirs, entitled as 'My Combat Diary with 'Liberty Bell-E' - Eight Air Force B-17, 390th Bomb Group'. His biography was copied by his book (which were happy to get a signed copy by himself), while we added some further info, especially for his Greek heritage as he wrote it in a letter to George Chalkiadopoulos. Andrew Anzanos was born of Greek immigrant parents on Feb.22, 1924 in Gary, Indiana.

"Both of my parents were born in a Greek village in Asia Minor. That village then called Kato Panagia no longer exists since the Turks took over. My Dad (Lambros) migrated to America before WWI to avoid the growing Turkish problem. He served in WWI to get his American citizenship. After the war, he went back and got my mother (she was a Minotis). They were married in 1920 and I was born in Gary, Indiana in 1924 following an older sister and preceding two more sisters. My mother died when I was 11 years old and continued to raise us without a mother. Back in Asia Minor, Dad's youngest brother, Parasco, and Dad's sister's husband, Katina's husband, both were killed by the Turks when they were in their Greek military uniforms and went to visit my Grandparents who were still there. My Greek last name was Hadjiandonakis (English spelling for the sound). How it was converted to Anzanos, I don't know. I remember the Italian invasion of Greece, that we were all concerned and then very proud of the way the Greeks were defeating them until Hitler sent his troops in. At that point it looked like almost all of Europe was to be Hilter's. That was also strengthening our wanting to get into the war. Unfortunately, I have never been to Greece and now it's getting a little late in my life and I am sorry about losing out on all the warmth the Greek people show."

Andy attended Lew Wallace High School and although being small in size, he lettered three times on the football team that became State Champs. There were three subsequent notables on the team: Hank Stram (Kansas City Chiefs), Julius Rykovich (Chicago Bears) and Lester Alonso Bm'gaman (Detroit Lions). Bingaman was the heaviest player even in the pros up to that time. Andy was the lightest and the smallest. He also lettered in track. He was a scheduled February 1943 graduate. On Dec. 7, 1942, it was announced that anyone who enlisted or was drafted, from his class, would receive their diplomas. The next day he, with 10 or 12 others, enlisted in the Army Air Corps. This was on the last day of enlistments! His basic training took place in Miami Beach, and then he went to Aerial Gunnery School at Fort Meyers, Fla. and then to Seymour Johnson Field for the Aircraft Mechanics School. Andy was mechanically inclined, having overhauled several auto engines, in his earlier days. As an amateur hunter, he had knowledge about guns and that made his aerial gunnery training a pleasure. His combat crew formation and overseas training occurred at Ephrata and Walla Walla, Washington. He began writing his combat diary while aboard Queen Elisabeth on the way to England in early November 1943. In addition to the diary, Andy wrote also about his most memorable experiences while his training for combat and the assignments on return from overseas. During his combat service, he was credited with a damaged Me109 as well as confirmed destroyed Me110. He was awarded the DFC with one oak leaf cluster. According to the citation:

"..you are officially credited with the destruction of one enemy aircraft for which you received one credit to the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross."

He was also awarded the Air Medal and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters as well as the European Theater of Operations Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars. After his USAAF service, his interesting experiences continued. Andy went to Parks College of St. Louis University under very intense and condensed year-around courses with only four weeks off in an entire year. There was classroom work five days a week, 8 hours per day and with plenty of homework. The GI Bill was a major determinate in' going to college for him. He saw more than half of the engineering students, under the Bill, dropped out. At Parks, Andy took the degree course of Aeronautical Engineering, obtained a pilot's license, and obtained four FAA certificates. He was the only one, at least in" his class, to pass the four written exams at one sitting: Aircraft and Aircraft Engine and instructors rating for both the Aircraft and Engine certificates. After graduation, the McDonnell Aircraft Company employed Andy in St. Louis. McDonnell was looking for engineers to hire in their Fiscal operations. Andy accepted a probationary offer in the contract-estimating department. He advanced rapidly through spare parts estimating for the FH-1 Phantom I airplane, contract changes for the F2H Banshee models, total contract values and the negotiations thereof for the later fiscal year buy of the F2H. Contract changes for the F3H Demon production contracts then followed.