Author Talk: Memoir of a WWII B-24 Bomber Pilot

PRESS RELEASE

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force‘s Author Talk series is proud to present Karen Hoaglund & Donna Burgard, who discuss the story of Lt. John R. “Bob Hanzlik in Memoir of a World War II B-24 Pilot | The Story in His Own Words. This program will take place on Wednesday, November 20th, at 11:00 a.m. at the museum. The program is free to the public, but registration is requested at this FORM LINK. 

About the Book: 

This powerful story brings WWII history to life through the vivid, unfiltered letters of a young aviator. In his own words, readers witness his journey from a fresh-faced recruit to a battle-hardened combat pilot and, ultimately, a prisoner of war—all within three transformative years. Through his candid letters to his mother and father, we see a rare, intimate view of his daily experiences, capturing moments of humor, resilience, and raw honesty. Rediscovered decades later, these letters are a poignant gift, offering an authentic glimpse into one man’s personal wartime journey and his unwavering connection with family.

About the Authors: 

Karen Hanzlik Hoaglund and Madonna Zay Burgard have been friends since they were neighbors in Indiana 20 years ago. Because of their parents, the two, along with their husbands, have had a lifelong interest in WWII. Karen’s father, Lt. John R. “Bob” Hanzlik, was a B-24 Bomber Pilot in the ETO.

Karen currently lives in Athens, Alabama with husband Ron. They travel extensively and have recently focused their attention on locations where Karen’s Father was in WWII, including the UK, France, Germany, and Poland. Karen graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Environmental Geography. She retired from a 35-year career in containerboard sales, concluding her tenure with International Paper. Karen and Ron spend as much time as they can on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, at the family home where her parents lived.

Madonna (Donna) Zay Burgard and husband Dale live in Columbia, Tennessee. They recently returned from a trip following the footsteps of Dale’s Father, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and took part in the liberation of Mauthausen Concentration Camp in Austria. Donna graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis, with a degree in journalism, and later from Indiana University with an MBA and law degree. Her career was in publishing for many years before working for her husband’s company. The two friends have just completed four years of collaboration and research based on the wealth of WWII material left by Karen’s Father. This has culminated in the 500-page hardbound book Memoir of a World War II B-24 Bomber Pilot-The Story in His Own Words.

About the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force: 

The Museum educates visitors about the character, courage, valor, and patriotism of the brave individuals who fought in the Eighth Air Force, the largest air armada in history. The Museum uses films, exhibits, artifacts, and archival materials to tell stories of individuals who served in the Eighth Air Force. Their sacrifices made victory in World War II possible. Museum highlights include a fully restored B-17 “Flying Fortress” and the multimedia “Mission Experience,” an immersive simulated bombing mission in a special theater utilizing actual combat footage. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is located at 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA. Operating hours are Tue-Sat 10 am – 5 pm, Sun, Noon – 5 pm. For more information, call (912) 748-8888 or www.mightyeighth.org.

Emma Quedzuweit

Emma Quedzuweit is a historial researcher and graduate school student originally from California, but travels extensively for work and study. She is the former Assitant Editor at AOPA Pilot magazine and currently freelance writes along with personal projects invovled in the search for missing in action aviators from World War I and II. She is a Private Pilot with Single Engine Land and Sea ratings and tailwheel endorsement and is part-owner of a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub. Her favorite aviation experience was earning a checkout in a Fairchild PT-19.

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