Nearly eighty years after two World War II U.S. Army Air Forces pilots were shot down over Tuscany, a forgotten letter tucked away in a family archive has brought to light a remarkable tale of bravery, humanity, and survival (click HERE to read our article). Thanks to the work of Air Crash Po, an Italian organization dedicated to tracing the fates of World War II airmen, the extraordinary story of Lieutenants John R. Lion and Downing Junior has resurfaced. A local farmer, Tullio Mearelli, risked everything to shelter the men in a hidden cave for months, protecting them from capture and ultimately helping them return safely to Allied lines. The bond forged between the airmen and Mearelli endured long after the war ended.
Photo courtesy of Mr. Mearelli.
After piecing together the events surrounding Downing and Lion and reaching out to their families in the United States—as well as to the grandchildren of Tullio Mearelli—Air Crash Po maintained ongoing communication with all parties involved. Of particular interest were Novello Mearelli and Laura Lion, daughter of John R. Lion. Laura shared her wish to travel to Italy, revisit the locations tied to her father’s wartime experience, and meet the descendants of the man who saved him. That wish soon became a reality. Laura and her sister Lisa arranged the trip with their companions, and Air Crash Po organized the logistics. Merli Luca kept his nephew, Novello Mearelli, informed through messages and calls, who then updated his cousins about Laura Lion’s visit. Professor Alberti coordinated with the Mayor and local authorities in Pitigliano, ensuring a warm welcome and arranging a formal meeting at the town hall.
On October 19, Laura and Lisa Lion were greeted in a town hall chamber by the Mearelli grandchildren and local officials. The visit continued at the cemetery, where the group held a prayer, laid flowers, and installed a terracotta plaque, donated by Air Crash Po, in memory of Tullio Mearelli’s courageous actions. The following day, the Lion sisters were guided by the Mearelli cousins through the forest to the cave where the two pilots had been hidden. The visit was a deeply emotional experience, marked by gratitude and reflection. The reunion concluded at the farmhouse of their cousin Rossella, where the families said their farewells and promised to keep in touch.
Today, the connection between the Lion family in the United States and the Mearelli descendants in Italy continues, a living testament to this extraordinary wartime story. Air Crash Po is now seeking relatives of Lieutenant Downing to help reconnect the two families across continents. When asked why the organization pursues these histories, Merli responds simply: “We do it out of respect for those who gave their lives in service—and for their families. We do it out of passion. We do it out of a sense of duty.” To learn more about Air Crash Po and support their work, visit www.aircrashpo.com or follow them on Facebook.
