Navy Federal Credit Union

Stanley Rebicki was a member of the air crew of a B-29 Superfortess bomber named “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which was damaged on a bombing run over Tokyo, and rammed three times by Japanese fighters. It crashed in the vicinity of Tokyo Bay with the loss of eight members of the crew, and two captured and held as prisoners of war. Pilot John Krause and his Flight Engineer received posthumous Distinguished Service Crosses for their efforts to save the plane after the co-pilot was seriously wounded, and the other nine members of the crew were awarded Silver Stars.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    874th Bomber Squadron

    Regiment:

    498th Bombardment Group (VH)

    Division:

    20th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 27, 1944

    Headquarters, XXI Bomber Command, General Orders No. 21 (February 8, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Stanley J. Rebicki (ASN: 0-777932), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Bombardier of a B-29 Superfortress Bomber in the 874th Bomber Squadron, 498th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), TWENTIETH Air Force, in aerial operations during an attack against a heavily defended target at Tokyo, Japan, on 27 December 1944. On the approach to the target, a large force of enemy fighters intercepted the B-29 formation and seriously damaged his bomber by gunfire. The enemy fighters then concentrated their efforts against the crippled aircraft and despite the effective defensive fire delivered by the valiant gunners, three fighters deliberately rammed the bomber and damaged the controls to the extent that it became temporarily unmanageable. The signal was given to abandon the aircraft and those of the crew who were uninjured promptly bailed out. The bomber crashed into Tokyo bay with the loss of all members of the crew. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Rebicki, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Japan)

    Action Date:

    December 27, 1944 – September 1945

    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 17348

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Stanley J. Rebicki (ASN: 0-777932), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by Japanese forces after his aircraft was shot down on or about December 27, 1944 and was held as a Prisoner of War until his release from captivity after the end of hostilities in September 1945.