2nd Lt. Max Melvin Cisek was born in Chicago on August 27, 1919, to Joseph Cisek and Aniela Biernet-Cisek, and he had four sisters and two brothers. His family resided at 105 North Englewood Avenue in Bellwood, Illinois. He attended local grade schools and was a member of the Proviso Township High School 1936 graduating class. After high school he went to the Illinois Institute of Technology for one year and then attended the American Television Institute where he learned about radio and television electronics. He worked for Three Dimension Corporation in Chicago which manufactured slide projectors. On October 16, 1940, the Selective Service Act took effect and Max registered for the draft that day and named his father as his contact person. He gave his address as 39 South 21st Avenue, Maywood.
Max enlisted in the US Army on April 13, 1942, in Chicago and entered as a private and given the serial number 16 077 847. It is not known where he did his basic training, but at some point he tested and was accepted into officer’s candidates’ school. He was commissioned a second lieutenant, on May 8, 1943, and his new serial number was O 679 365. It is known that he trained at Childress Airfield as a bombardier. At some point he became a member of the 534th Bomb Squadron. The 534th came together at Gowen Field, Idaho, and on May 8, 1943 began moving its equipment to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, for deployment in England. Its air crews gathered at Salinas Airfield, Kansas. On May 15th, the air crews sailed for England and after arriving there, before the end of May.
The 534th was stationed at the Royal Air Force Ridgewell where it was assigned to the 381st Bomber Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. The 381st’s first mission against the Germans took place on was June 21, 1943, when it bombed Antwerp, Belgium. Max’s plane was named “White Tail II” and his crew was as follows: Lt. Leo Canelake, pilot; F/O Harry B. Johnson, co-pilot; 2nd Lt. Jesse S. Boston Jr., Navigator; Max, bombardier, S/Sgt. Paul R. McDonald, top turret gunner; S/Sgt. Toby Hernandez, radio operator; S/Sgt. John V. Arvett, ball turret gunner; Sgt. Richard W. Brown, Left Wing Gunner/Assistant Engineer; Sgt. Thomas W. Phillips, Right Wing Gunner/Assistant Engineer; and Sgt. Francis N. Belgrasch, tail Gunner. Max’s crew took part in bombing missions to Knaben, Norway, November 14, 1943, Bois Colombes, France, December 5, 1943, Breman Germany on November 20th, December 13th, 14th, and 20th. December 20th was his last mission. According to the other pilots, White Tail II left formation 50 miles from the the English coast returning from the mission and Lt. Canelake never indicated the plane was in trouble.
1st Lt. Richard J. NIederriter, who was in another plane testified.
“On December 20th while returning from Bremen, I was leading 2nd Element, High Squadron. Lt. Canelake flying 43-5845 was flying No. 3 position, lead element, high squadron. All four engine were running. His left elevator was shot almost completely away, and he had flak damage in the tail. About seventy (70) miles off the English Coast in the North Sea, Lt. Canelake dropped down and fell behind out of my line of sight. Due to his normally formation flying, I paid no attention.
“However, about seven (7) or eight (8) minutes later I looked back at seven (7) o’clock and saw a ship down on the water make an apparent 180° turn. I told the tail gunner to watch him, but his windows were frosted and he lost sight of him. After this time, we no sign of Ship #42-5845, and concluded that perhaps that was it.”
Records state the plane went down 90 miles off the northeast English coast.
Max’s parents received a telegram from the War Department.
MRS ANIELA CISEK
105 NORTH ENGLEWOOD AVENUE BELLWOOD IL
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON SECOND LIEUTENANT MAX M CISEK HAS BEEN MISSING IN ACTION SINCE TWENTY DECEMBER OVER THE NORTH SEA IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFIED=
ULIO THE ADJUTENT GENERAL
A letter followed:
What is known is the plane’s entire crew was declared lost and on August 19, 1945.
Mrs. Aniela Cisek
105 North Englewood Avenue
Bellwood, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Cisek:
This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Second Lieutenant Max M. Cisek, O-679, 365, Air Corps, has been reported missing in action since 20 December 1943 over the North Sea.
I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive some information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crews Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.
The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case in closed. I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize. Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported prisoners of war, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports. However, in order to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which contains in force pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of the personnel being carried in a missing status.
Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
The War Department on August 19, 1945, found Max to be dead and another letter was sent to his family. It is not known what the letter said. The name of 2nd Lt. Max M. Cisek was put on the Tablets of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. He also was awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.
