Theodore Malacha was from DuPage County and born on September 22, 1917. He graduated from Downers Grove Community High School in 1934.
Sgt. Malacha was a gunner assigned to the 10th Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 493rd Bombardment Squadron, at Pandevaswar, India, on a combat mission to Mingladon airfield at Rangoon, Burma. About fifteen minutes from the target, they were attacked by enemy fighters. They lost an engine and fell behind the formation, losing altitude. They entered a heavy cloud bank and were not seen again. Based upon the area described, they likely went into the Bay of Bengal.
They were reported missing on 25 November 1943 and officially declared dead on 11 February 1946. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
Sgt Malacha is listed on the Tablets of the Missing memorial site at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines
His name is engraved on the plaque at Memorial Park in Downers Grove honoring local servicemen who never returned home from World War II.
Sources: Ancestry.com; HonorStates.org; Find-A-Grave
