Flight Officer Thomas Manos

T-121966

Navigator

398th Bomb Group

603rd Bomber Squadron

Thomas was born on August 18, 1924 to George and Anna. His parents were Greek immigrants. Tom had a younger brother called James. Thomas's father was a florist.

He attended Parker High School in Chicago and was voted Class President.

Tom registered on December 11, 1942 while he was a student at the University of Chicago.

It is believed that F/O Manos was assigned to the 603rd in November 1944, as he is mentioned in Oliver Bradford's diary, but unfortunately, there is no actual date of his arrival in the 398th records.

Tom flew his first mission on December 28 to Koblenz on aircraft 631-T, with further missions on December 30 to Bischofsheim on aircraft 8864- F and 31 to Blumenthal on aircraft 43-38669G. On January 1, he flew with Donald de Cleene and Maynard Stravinski to Kassel. The targets for this mission were a ME-109 factory and marshalling yards. This would be his last mission.

On January 2, 1945, Thomas along with Donald de Cleene, Maynard Stravinski, Frank E Garry Jr and Howard Ayers were sent to Burtonwood, which is between Manchester and Liverpool in the North West of England, to collect a brand new or replacement B-17G Flying Fortress. They were given 43-38944 to fly back to Nuthampstead. Sadly, she crashed on Birchenough Hill near Wildboarclough in East Cheshire. There were no survivors.

Tom was buried alongside the rest of the crew on January 9, 1945 at 15:00 hours in Plot W, Row 1, Grave 4.

His father made the heartbreaking decision to leave his son in the care of those who work at Cambridge American Cemetery.

He forever sleeps in Plot C, Row 3, Grave 28.

https://www.fold3.com/record/529906537/thomas-manos-american-battle-monuments-commission

https://www.398th.org