AC-47 Spooky, U. S. Army Air Force; U. S. Air Force, (43-49770), Maxwell Air Force Base- Gunter Annex, Alabama
The aircraft in the photograph was delivered to U. S. Army Air Force in 1943 as C-47 Skytrain. The serial number on the aircraft may not be its actually serial number. A C-47 with the serial number 43-49770 served in Vietnam as a Spooky gunship and was damaged in flight by a mortar round in 1969. The explosion ripped an activated flare from the grasp of a crewmember who had been launching flares to provide illumination for Army ground troops engaged in combat. The flare rolled uncontrollable in the aircraft. Airman First Class John L. Levitow attempted to grab the device and remove it from the aircraft. Unable to grasp the rolling flare with his hands, he threw himself bodily upon the burning flare. Hugging the deadly device to his body, he dragged himself back to the rear of the aircraft and hurled the flare through the open cargo door. At that instant the flare separated and ignited in the air but clear of the aircraft. For his bravery that resulted in saving the aircraft and crew Airman First Class John L. Levitow was awarded the Medal of Honor.
AC-47 Spooky, U. S. Army Air Force; U. S. Air Force, (43-49770), Maxwell Air Force Base- Gunter Annex, Alabama
The aircraft in the photograph was delivered to U. S. Army Air Force in 1943 as C-47 Skytrain. The serial number on the aircraft may not be its actually serial number. A C-47 with the serial number 43-49770 served in Vietnam as a Spooky gunship and was damaged in flight by a mortar round in 1969. The explosion ripped an activated flare from the grasp of a crewmember who had been launching flares to provide illumination for Army ground troops engaged in combat. The flare rolled uncontrollable in the aircraft. Airman First Class John L. Levitow attempted to grab the device and remove it from the aircraft. Unable to grasp the rolling flare with his hands, he threw himself bodily upon the burning flare. Hugging the deadly device to his body, he dragged himself back to the rear of the aircraft and hurled the flare through the open cargo door. At that instant the flare separated and ignited in the air but clear of the aircraft. For his bravery that resulted in saving the aircraft and crew Airman First Class John L. Levitow was awarded the Medal of Honor.