Yearbook photo of Sidney Malatsky.
2nd Lt. Sidney Jacob Malatsky served as a bombardier in the European Theater during World War II. He was born and raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts. His Jewish parents immigrated from Russia in 1900. As a student, Malatsky achieved a number of scholastic achievements before graduating from Chelsea High School.
Malatsky enlisted in the United States Air Corps Reserves on November 13, 1942. He served in the 827th Bombardment Squadron, 484th Bombardment Group. In 1944, the 484th supported the advance of Allied forces towards Rome by bombing infrastructure in the area.
In November 1944, Malatsky and his crew departed from Torretta Air Field, Italy on a bombing mission towards Vienna, Austria. During the mission, enemy fire hit Malatsky’s plane and caused the engine to fail. The damage to the plane forced the captain to attempt a crash landing in the Adriatic Sea.
Upon crashing into the sea, the plane broke apart and the rear of the plane rapidly sank below the water. Malatsky and 5 other crewmen were never recovered. The pilot survived the crash and submitted the Missing Air Crew Report, declaring that Malatsky had died during the landing. He was 22 years old.
Grave marker for 2nd Lt. Sidney Malatsky at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Today, Malatsky is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery and Memorial in Italy. He is also memorialized at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Last year the Veterans Legacy Program partnered with University of Central Florida to conduct research on Veterans interred at Florida National Cemetery. During their research, a student discovered Malatsky’s story and produced a biography to honor his legacy. His story is now shared with the public, and can be found here.
To learn more about the Veterans Legacy Program, and its efforts to carry on the the stories of Veterans interred in national cemeteries please visit https://www.cem.va.gov/legacy/
We honor the service and sacrifice of 2nd Lt. Sidney Jacob Malatsky, ensuring that his memory never fades and that his legacy never dies.
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In November 2024, VA's National Cemetery Administration (NCA) officially opened new Green Burial sections at three national cemeteries.
Beginning on Nov. 9, 2024, VA will accept applications for payment of a monetary allowance for privately purchased OBRs and for OBRs provided by a grant-funded cemetery, when the OBR is placed at the time of interment. This allowance may be paid for burials that occurred on or after the effective date of the new authority which is Jan. 5, 2023.
With help from VBA and NCA, an administrative correction honored a WWII soldier's service and Jewish identity.
Thank You, Jacob Malatsky for your ultimate sacrifice. You have done your duty.
Liza Van Brussel SGT USMC
Never forget!
First, let me show my respect for his and others contributions to protect our nation. However, he was probably never in the “Air Corps” which ceased to exist on March 1, 1942 and was replaced by the generally independent, from the Army, the Army Air Force which had an equal seat, for General Arnold, on the War Staff.
We can never do enough to honor those men, so we should keep trying!! They deserve to be remembered and honored!
For 72 years. our nation has been free, and prosperous, thanks to thousands like 2LT Malatsky. He, and all who gave everything they had, have not been able to share in the wonderful bounty they saved that is the United States of America. Sadly, their unselfish sacrifice will fade into the past, celebrated less and less each decade, until so few care that it will not be mentioned.
Equally sad is the way that generations following the tremendous sacrifices of these brave men and women do not understand how well they live their lives due to those who died. They allow politicians to divide us into opposing groups , and create “victims” out of people who could otherwise have wonderful and fulfilling lives. What an embarrassment for these wonderful patriots who died so that we all could live freely.