When Eugene Guertin faced the decision about whether to fight for his country in the Second World War, his choice was not if, but how.
“I didn’t want to walk all over Europe, so I joined the Air Force.”
Born and raised in the St. Paul area, Eugene was 17 when he volunteered. Four years later, after spending 18 months as a prisoner of war in Germany, he was the only member of his crew of seven to return.
“I’m the only guy out of 21 men,” says Eugene, whose crewmates on two sister planes also all died. “I’m the only one out of the whole bunch who came back.”