1st Lt. Erwin A. Brousek of Z-8, "Mission to Albuquerque"
First Lieutenant Erwin A. Brousek, Bombardier of Z Square 8 ("Mission to Albuquerque"), was born in Chicago in 1915 to Anton and Lillian (née Ruzicka) Brousek and was the elder brother of Milan F. Brousek.
Growing up, the brothers were musically influenced by Anton, an Army band veteran of the Spanish-American War who became a well-known recording artist, composer, and band leader. The brothers played many instruments and performed together for enjoyment and employment during their school years in the 1920s and 1930s. Highly sought-after throughout Chicago for civic events, conventions, and festivals, they earned accolades and awards at music contests and recitals while attending local music programs.
After graduating from high school, the brothers continued to perform together as Erwin attended Gregg Business School and worked for the Railway Express Agency while Milan attended Chicago Musical College. After America’s entry into WWII, the brothers joined the Army Air Corps.
Milan saw combat over Europe as a B-17 Radio Operator/Gunner assigned to the 410th Bomb Squadron, 94th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, Bury St. Edmunds, England. His awards included the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four battle stars, and World War II Victory Medal. After the war, he completed his undergraduate work, earned a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, and directed high school bands throughout Illinois and Iowa. He retired as the first Music Director at Handicap (now Opportunity) Village in Clear Lake, IA.
Erwin, after training in Orlando, FL, Victoria, KS, and Clovis, NM, earned the Combat Observer, Navigator, and Bombardier Badges and saw combat in the Pacific as a B-29 Bombardier assigned to the 881st Bomb Squadron, 500th Bomb Group, 20th Air Force, Isley Field, Saipan. Killed in Action on the 17 March 45 raid on Kobe, Japan, Erwin had stepped in from another crew to serve on the mission. His awards included the Purple Heart, Air Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, and World War II Victory Medal.
Erwin is buried at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago alongside his parents and brother.
-Narrative by James Erwin Brousek (nephew)
Growing up, the brothers were musically influenced by Anton, an Army band veteran of the Spanish-American War who became a well-known recording artist, composer, and band leader. The brothers played many instruments and performed together for enjoyment and employment during their school years in the 1920s and 1930s. Highly sought-after throughout Chicago for civic events, conventions, and festivals, they earned accolades and awards at music contests and recitals while attending local music programs.
After graduating from high school, the brothers continued to perform together as Erwin attended Gregg Business School and worked for the Railway Express Agency while Milan attended Chicago Musical College. After America’s entry into WWII, the brothers joined the Army Air Corps.
Milan saw combat over Europe as a B-17 Radio Operator/Gunner assigned to the 410th Bomb Squadron, 94th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, Bury St. Edmunds, England. His awards included the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four battle stars, and World War II Victory Medal. After the war, he completed his undergraduate work, earned a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, and directed high school bands throughout Illinois and Iowa. He retired as the first Music Director at Handicap (now Opportunity) Village in Clear Lake, IA.
Erwin, after training in Orlando, FL, Victoria, KS, and Clovis, NM, earned the Combat Observer, Navigator, and Bombardier Badges and saw combat in the Pacific as a B-29 Bombardier assigned to the 881st Bomb Squadron, 500th Bomb Group, 20th Air Force, Isley Field, Saipan. Killed in Action on the 17 March 45 raid on Kobe, Japan, Erwin had stepped in from another crew to serve on the mission. His awards included the Purple Heart, Air Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, and World War II Victory Medal.
Erwin is buried at Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago alongside his parents and brother.
-Narrative by James Erwin Brousek (nephew)
First Lieutenant Erwin Brousek, USAAF, 1944
Brothers First Lieutenant Erwin Brousek, 20th Air Force USAAF, and Technical Sergeant Milan F. Brousek, 8th Air Force, USAAF, 1944. Both were serving on combat missions on the day Erwin was Killed in Action
Chicago newspaper reporting Erwin's commission as a Second Lieutenant and receipt of his bombardier silver wings
Chicago newspaper article reporting Erwin's receipt of his silver wings as an aerial navigator
Chicago Bohemian language newspaper article about the service of both brothers
Telegram received by Erwin’s Mother from the War Department informing her that Erwin had been Killed in Action
Letter received from Franciscan describing the crash of “Mission to Albuquerque” over his POW camp and his effort to bury the bodies of the aircrew
Priest POW letter to Erwin's mother page 2
Priest POW letter to Erwin's mother page 3
Presidential Certificate, Combat Death, First Lieutenant Erwin Brousek, signed by President Harry S Truman
Purple Heart Certificate, First Lieutenant Erwin Brousek
