CPL Frank A. Lastosky

Corporal (CPL) Frank Andrew Lastosky of Fox Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), was born in Pringle, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, to Andrew and Genevieve (Krzykwa) Lastosky on April 26, 1916.

Frank had two brothers, Walter and Adam, and five sisters, Mary, Dolores, Theresa, Jean, and Florence. Sadly his father passed away on October 30, 1934, when Frank was only 18 years old. Then his sister Florence passed away on September 12, 1942, after a brief illness - one month after CPL Lastosky had lost his own life.

Frank Lastosky enlisted in the United States Army on October 3rd, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was then assigned to the 502nd PIR where he attended paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Tragically he was killed in a terrible accident on Saturday, August 15th, 1942.

At around noon that day, eleven planes left from Pope Army Airfield, a base nestled at the northern tip of Fort Bragg, approximately twelve miles northwest of Fayetteville, North Carolina. The planes were on their way to New England where the paratroopers would perform a demonstration jump that weekend. The aircraft would need to refuel at Mitchell Air Field, New York, at around 17.00 hrs.

During that time there was a heated discussion between several of the pilots and the Commanding Officer, CPT Allan Dickey.

Weather reports indicated there was bad weather developing up north, and despite the warnings and arguments from other pilots that not all of them were experienced enough to fly on instruments alone during bad weather conditions, CPT Dickey followed his orders to fly to Providence, Rhode Island.

At around 18.30 hrs., the eleven planes left Mitchell Air Field for their flight.

They only made it a short distance before flying on instrument conditions became necessary due to the deteriorated weather conditions. At some point, all of them attempted to descend through the clouds, during which the entire flight of planes became scattered.

Two of those aircraft ended up further north, close to Springfield, Massachusetts. One of the planes managed to land safely at the local airfield, but the other crashed into the 2,200-foot Garnet Peak of Peru State Forest at around 20.45 hours. 

SGT Robert Lee of Fox Company was the only man who was buckled up in his seat. After the plane crashed, he tried to rescue several paratroopers from the burning remains of the plane and was able to save two men, CPL Alonze Pearson and PFC James Fern.

SGT Lee would also find CPL Lastosky outside the burning plane and talked to him for a moment, but unfortunately Lastosky would not survive the night due to severe wounds on his skull and multiple burned abrasions. 

Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅

CPL Frank A. Lastosky was buried with full military honors at Saint Marie’s Cemetery, Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, on August 24, 1942. May he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Frank.

Lest we forget! 🇺🇸

Sources

• Find a Grave, Frank A Lastosky
• Aircraft Accident and Incidents Reports, 1940 thru 1948 (Courtesy Kimberly Bolduc)
• Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, The Evening News in Pennsylvania, Monday, Aug 24, 1942