Anthony Bernard Mancini

1st Lt. Anthony Bernard Mancini, 131st Bombardment Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, was stationed in England and flew 28 missions as a bombadier on a B17 Flying Fortress. He was shot down over Chartres, France, on August 13, 1944 and spent nine months and twenty days in Stalag Luft I in Barth, Germany. While held in captive, he wrote an incredibly detailed "Kriegy Book", describing his experiences and those of his fellow servicemen. It included journal entries, maps of the area, recipes for what they were able to cook for themselves, poetry, prayers and songs (such as "As Flak Goes By", sung to the tune of "As Time Goes By".

On the night of May 1, 1945, he was plotting his escape as a patrol of Russians suddenly liberated them from the camp. He returned home to his wife, Bernice, and four kids, in Erie. He was a wonderful father, a good provider, and decent man with a wicked sense of humor and strong Catholic morality. Known as Bony, he graduated from Gannon on the G.I. bill with a degree in chemistry and worked for Erie Enameling and Ervite Corporation until his retirement. Boney was a good friend and neighbor to all, and a deeply beloved family man.

A copy of Bony's "Kreigy Book" has been transcribed and is available for public review by contacting his family at rmancini16415@gmail.com.