Eugene Harold Vanhala
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
VANHALA, Eugene Harold
Eugene Harold Vanhala was born on April 3rd 1919 to Armas Konstatin & Rauha Maria [Viitanen] Vanhala
Mr. Vanhala enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assgned to the 305th Bomb Group as a navigator in a B-17 Flying Fortress. He rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
During his 6th mission, he was shot down over Germany and held as a Prisoner of War for two and a half years in Stalag Luft 3. While there he assisted in the escape effort by forging traveling papers for POW's with this calligraphy skills.
LT Vanhala was awarded the Air Medal for his bravery.
After the war he returned home to Minnesota. He died on March 14th 1998.
Source(s):
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Page 1 WWII Draft Registration Cards - Fold3
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 - Ancestry.com
