WWII Vet From Littleton Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4)- A World War II veteran from Littleton received a special honor on Friday.
Rep. Mike Coffman presented Joseph Falconetti with the Distinguished Flying Cross Award for his heroism during the war.
Falconetti, 88, was aboard a B-24 in 1944 when the plane was struck during a bombing over Romania.
The pilot and two others were wounded. That's when Falconetti took control of the plane and landed it safely.
"I had 95 hours of pilot time but never landed the plane until my last mission. I buckled the nose gear and the plane went up but everybody was still safe," said Falconetti.
Falconetti hopes troops coming home from fighting overseas are given the respect they deserve.
