Retired DHS Teacher, WWII POW Recalls 1945 Liberation By Patton

A Veterans Day tribute to a 90-year-old Air Force pilot and former Deerfield High School teacher who endured seven months as a POW before being liberated by Allied forces including Gen. George S. Patton.

"I grew up wanting to play baseball for the Braves," said Elijah "Joe" Ostrander, 90, of his hometown team. "That plan was changed by the war." Instead of playing professional baseball, Ostrander instead enlisted in the Air Force at age 19. He served in Italy during World War II with the 741st Bomb Squadron, 455th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force. "I loved to fly," said Ostrander, who taught for years at Deerfield High School and now lives in Lindenhurst, Ill. "That was all I wanted to do." He left the comforts of home in January 1943. He flew a B-24 from Kansas to Italy, where he was stationed. Long Journey Into the War Zone "That long flight across the Atlantic for a navigator was challenging and exciting," Ostrander said. Once in battle, …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (9)