WWII fallen pilot honored in Bologna, Italy

Italian civic leaders and community members gather for a memorial ceremony honoring 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna, Italy. During WWII, Joyce was killed on July 15, 1944, after his plane was shot down by opposing German forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Air Cory W. Bush)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
WWII fallen pilot honored in Bologna, Italy

Italian civic leaders and community members gather for a memorial ceremony honoring 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna, Italy. Many local Italians, who were children at the time, attended the ceremony to tell their story moments following the crash. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Air Cory W. Bush)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
WWII fallen pilot honored in Bologna, Italy

A U.S. Army Air Corps replica plane performs aerial maneuvers for a memorial ceremony honoring 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna, Italy. During WWII, Joyce crashed his P-47 on July 15, 1944, after his plane was shot down by opposing German forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Air Cory W. Bush)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
WWII fallen pilot honored in Bologna, Italy

A relative of 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, lays his mother’s gloves on top of Joyce’s memorial, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna, Italy. Joyce’s 14 relatives traveled from the U.S. to honor his legacy during the memorial ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Air Cory W. Bush)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
WWII fallen pilot honored in Bologna, Italy

Lt. Col. Andrew Stoy, 31st Medical Group deputy commander, speaks during a memorial ceremony for 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna, Italy. On July 29, 1993, three Italians, who were children at the time of the crash, helped excavate Joyce’s remains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Air Cory W. Bush)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
WWII fallen pilot honored in Bologna, Italy

Relatives of 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, stand beside Joyce’s memorial, Oct. 6, 2017, near Bologna Italy. During WWII, Joyce crashed his P-47 on July 15, 1944, after his plane was shot down by opposing German forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Air Cory W. Bush)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

WWII fallen pilot honored in Bologna, Italy

Published Oct. 11, 2017
By Senior Airman Cory W. Bush
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

BOLOGNA, Italy -- On Oct. 7, 2017, a memorial service was held for 2nd Lt. Paul R. Joyce, U.S. Army Air Corps P-47 pilot, near Bologna, Italy. Lt. Col. Andrew Stoy, 31st Medical Group deputy commander, Lt. Col. Johan, 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander, members of the local community and 14 of Joyce's relatives, joined to honor his sacrifice. During WWII, Joyce’s aircraft was shot down and crashed near Bologna, Italy on July 5, 1944.