U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Air Cory W. BushItalian civic leaders and community members gather for a memorial ceremony honoring 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna, Italy. During World War II, Joyce was killed on July 15, 1944, after his plane was shot down by opposing German forces.
BOLOGNA, Italy–Recently, a small but significant memorial service was held in Bologna, Italy, for 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, a U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot shot down during World War II.
Fourteen relatives of Joyce traveled from the U.S. to honor their veteran ancestor. The service was also attended by local Italian civic leaders and community members as well as Airmen from Aviano Air Base.
During World War II, Joyce’s aircraft was shot down by opposing German forces and crashed near Bologna, Italy, were he died on July 5, 1944.
On July 29, 1993, three Italians, who were children at the time of the crash, helped excavate Joyce’s remains. During the memorial service, local Italians, who were children at the time, swapped personal stories and memories of the moments following the crash in 1944.
A U.S. Army Air Corps replica plane performed aerial maneuvers in honor of Joyce’s honorable service during the memorial ceremony.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Cory W. BushMany local Italians, who were children at the time, attended the ceremony to tell their story moments following the crash.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Cory W. BushA U.S. Army Air Corps replica plane performs aerial maneuvers for a memorial ceremony honoring 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna, Italy. During World War II, Joyce crashed his P-47 on July 15, 1944, after his plane was shot down by opposing German forces.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Cory W. BushA relative of 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, lays his mother’s gloves on top of Joyce’s memorial, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna, Italy. Joyce’s 14 relatives traveled from the U.S. to honor his legacy during the memorial ceremony.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Cory W. BushLt. Col. Andrew Stoy, 31st Medical Group deputy commander, speaks during a memorial ceremony for 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna, Italy. On July 29, 1993, three Italians, who were children at the time of the crash, helped excavate Joyce’s remains.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Cory W. BushRelatives of 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, stand beside Joyce’s memorial, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna Italy. During World War II, Joyce crashed his P-47 on July 15, 1944, after his plane was shot down by opposing German forces.
