Staff Sergeant Matthew Pelczar was the engineer and top turret gunner in 2nd Lt. John Hoffman's B-24H of the 330th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, when it went down on June 13, 1944, near Lorient, France. Before he left on that flight, he penned what would be his last letter to his parents in which he wrote "I sure hope this comes to an end pretty soon, cause I'm just about fed up with Army life". Not aware that this would be his last communication, closed the two page letter with "Well, that's about all I have to have to say for today. Until the next time, I say goodbye and God bless you all." In addition to the letter, this group includes Pelczar's Army Will, Citation of Honor, and Purple Heart award document, framed condolences from President Roosevelt, 8×10 crew photo taken in front of Hoffman's B-24 and a June 7, 1944 copy of Stars and Stripes announcing the Normandy invasion. Three portraits of SSGT Pelczar wearing his Class A tunic with Aerial Gunner Badge plus two snapshots of his grave are included.
SSGT Pelczar's officially engraved slot brooch posthumous Purple Heart plus full wrap brooch officially engraved Air Medal are included. Both medals come with lapel pins an original presentation cases.
This group has moved on to a younger collector as of October 2011.
