Diary of Captain Edward C. Piech (Rutgers College, Class 1949): Service in Army Air Corps in World War II

Edward Piech was born May 26, 1920 in Sayerville, New Jersey. He is the son of Lawrence and Eva Wnek-Piech, both of whom were born in Poland. His father (August 1, 1886 - October 1969) worked as a operator/laborer at Sayerfisher and DuPont in Sayerville, New Jersey. His mother (December 12, 1893 - ?, 1986) was a housewife in Sayerville. His parents married in 1912, and had five children.

Edward's oldest brother, Rudolph, born March 1, 1914, was a Captain in the U.S.A.A.F. as a Bomb Disposal, and graduated from Rutgers University in 1936 with a B.S. in Chemistry. Frank, born July 15, 1915 was in the Rutgers University class of 1938, and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry. Emelia, born November 15, 1917, followed her siblings, and graduated from South River High School in 1935. Edward's youngest sister, Irene, was born on January 27, 1925, and graduated from Douglas College for Women with a B.A. in 1946. Edward graduated from South River High School in 1937, and began working for DuPont in 1938. Piech entered Rutgers University in September 1941, but left R.U. to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Force in April 1942. He went back to Rutgers on the G.I. Bill in 1945, and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1949.

On February 16, 1942, Edward took his physical and mental examinations for the Army Air Corps in Trenton, New Jersey, and formally enlisted on April 11, 1942. As an aviation cadet, he trained with Squadron 82 on Williams Airfield, Arizona, and earned his wings as a bombardier (2nd Lieutenant) on January 2, 1943. By June 1943, Piech was in England with the 8th Air Force, 351st group, 509th Squadron, and was flying B-17's as the bombardier in July. His first mission was on July 26, 1943 into Hamburg. Four days later, Piech was part of the Flying Fortress over Kassel, during which his plane was struck, and he was lucky to have survived. On his fifth mission, which he flew with a full crew, he earned the Air Medal. Piech earned his first Oak Leaf Cluster on August 31, 1943 [Piech earned 3 additional Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross by 1944]. By November 1943, Piech was commissioned at a 1st Lieutenant, and was the lead bombardier for his group.

In January 1944, Piech was offered a position as the bombardier for Lt. General Ira C. Eaker's [Chief of the 8th Air Force bomber offensive, 1942, North Africa] crew in North Africa, after completing 24 of his required 25 missions. He did indeed make his 25th mission that month upon flying to North Africa, and logged many flights into the Mediterranean area and back. Upon arriving back in England in February, Major General Anderson suggested to him that he return to the United States and take a position as a bombardier instructor for the men training home.

In April 1944, Piech set sail from Scotland to the United States. After a month of liberty, Piech was cleared for pilot training he had applied for in May. Since he unfortunately did not quite make the cut for final pilot training, he began his career as a Bombardier Instructor in July with the 2nd Air Force. Continuing to learn on the job, and taking pride in his students, Piech settled into his new job and the social life in McCook field, Nebraska. His "horrid" experiences of battle and disappointment with pilot training were overcome when he met Jean Steel on August 19, 1944, who became his wife on November 26, 1944. Piech was promoted to Captain on December 14, 1944.

After the war was over, Piech was discharged from the U.S.A.A.F. in September 1945, from which he re-entered Rutgers University. While in school, Edward and Jean became parents on May 5, 1947, when their first son Christopher John was born (who went on to graduate from Georgetown University with a B.A. in History in 1969). Edward graduated from Rutgers in 1949, and began working for Carter Products-Wallace Laboratories in North Brunswick, N.J. as a research chemist.

On April 16, 1952, the Piech's second son, Mark, was born. (Mark graduated from Lafayette University in 1974 with a B.A. in Economics). Edward, in 1953, moved to Johnson and Johnson in New Brunswick, N.J., where he settled his career (as a research scientist until 1961, and then as a technical scientist until 1988 and through retirement).

Captain Edward C. Piech, a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, a bombardier in war, a member of General Ira Eaker's personal crew, a Bombardier Instructor in the U.S., a Rutgers University Alumnus, a professional Chemist, a father of two, and a loving husband, brought his personal diary to the Rutgers University Special Collections and University Archives in 1996. It is from this source that we have been fortunate to learn more about the experience of World War II, and life in the 1940's. This diary is a supplement to the Rutgers University Oral History Archives of World War II, sponsored by the Class of 1942. Further information about this project can be obtained in Special Collections, or through the History Department in Van Dyck Hall on College Avenue Campus, or by contacting the head of the project, Mr. Kurt Pielher.

May 26, 1920

Edward C. Piech born in Sayreville, New Jersey. He is the fourth of five children in his family.

September 1941

Edward Piech enters Rutgers University, only to leave in February 1942 to enlist in the Army Air Corps.

February 16, 1942

Edward Piech took the mental and physical examination in Trenton, N.J. for the U.S. Army Air Corps.

April 11, 1942

Piech is officially enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Maxwell Field, Alabama.

June 22, 1942

Piech is listed as an Army Air Force Aviation Cadet.

August 10, 1942

Piech began bombardier school, Squadron 82, Williams Field, Arizona.

September 29, 1942

Piech flies his first "gig."

January 2, 1943

Piech graduates from bombardier school as a 2nd Lieutenant. Class WC 43-1, A Flight Bombardier, 1st Class. Leaves Williams Field, AZ.

May 2, 1943

Piech flies first cross-country flight over ocean water.

May 13, 1943-June 13, 1943

Piech flies several missions around the United States and finally across the Atlantic Ocean to England. Accordingly, Piech comments that there "is plenty evidence of a war going on here--the atmosphere is one of a determined battle to the finish."

June 23, 1943-July 2, 1943

Piech attends school for combat at Combat Crews Repair Center in Bovingdon Field.

July 3, 1943

Piech moves to Polebro. Becomes a member of the 351 group, 509th Squadron. "Well, we're here & ready (?)?!?"

July 26, 1943-January 15, 1944

Piech flies the required twenty five missions between England, France, Germany, Italy and Africa.

July 30, 1943

Piech, the bombardier on a B17, was part of the Flying Fortress over Kassel. His plane was struck by anti-air fire, and was "lucky" to have survived.

August 15, 1943

Piech earned the Air Medal.

August 31, 1943

Piech earned his first Oak Leaf Cluster.

October 1, 1943

Piech granted the Navigator's Certificate, indicating he was "qualified."

November 1, 1943

Piech commissioned as 1st Lieutenant.

January 5, 1944

Piech offered a position as the bombardier for Lt. General Eaker's crew in Africa.

February 26, 1944

Major General Fred Anderson suggested Piech go home and take a position as a bombardier instructor to the men training at home [The United States].

April 5, 1944

Piech sets sail from Scotland towards the United States.

April 13, 1944 - April 14, 1944

The ship ports into New York Harbor at 10:00 a.m., and takes a train home (Sayerville, N.J.). "Oh God what a year's journey!!"

May 9, 1944

Piech applied for pilot training. Allied air forces attack airfields in France to clear out enemy for D-Day landing.

May 17, 1944

Piech passed pilot exam for training.

May 18, 1944

Piech received orders to leave (from liberty at home) to join the 2nd Air Force, which he considered "Hell."

May 26, 1944

Piech's 24th birthday, he was cleared for pilot training.

June 17, 1944

Piech arrives in Amarillo, Texas for pilot training.

June 20, 1944 - June 21, 1944

Piech takes written and psychological examinations for pilot training (which he did not pass).

July 16, 1944 - July 18, 1944

Piech arrives in McCook, Nebraska, and as an official Bombardier Instructor, begins his first day as a permanent party officer.

August 19, 1944

Edward Piech meets Jean Steel at an informal dance in McCook, Nebraska.

September 3, 1944

Edward meets Jean's family at dinner in her home.

September 6, 1944

Piech begins his "masterpiece" of Instructor Bombardier Notes.

September 18, 1944

Edward wrote to his mother about Jean and their relationship together.

September 30, 1944

Piech received the family's "special letter" to him, explaining that they felt the couple should wait a year (to be married). "[I] Don't believe I can wait so long."

October 25, 1944

Jean's 22nd birthday, Edward proposed to her, and presented the ring he purchased on the 18th as a birthday gift to surprise her.

November 26, 1944

Edward and Jean marry in McCook, Nebraska, and vacation in Denver, Colorado for their honeymoon.

December 14, 1944

Piech commissioned as Captain in the Army Air Force.

September 1945

Captain Piech discharged from the Army Air Corps in Denver, Colorado, ending his tour of duty. He entered Rutgers University.

May 5, 1947

Edward and Jean's first child, Christopher John Piech was born.

May 1949

Piech graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Chemistry.

1949 - 1953

Edward Piech worked as a research chemist/scientist at Carter Products-Wallace Laboratories in North Brunswick, New Jersey.

April 16, 1952

The Piech's second son, Mark Piech was born.

1953-1961

Piech transfers to Johnson & Johnson Company in New Brunswick, N.J. as a research chemist/scientist.

1961-1988+

Piech works as a Technical Scientists and for quality assurance.

August 25, 2011

Edward C. Piech passed away at the age of 91.