HI Tony: My name is Albert Sterlini. I have a 90 year old neighbor here in Michigan who told me the following Story. His name is Shaban Peshtani.
In 1943 as a member of the resistance he was taken to the Albanian coast where he took charge of an injured Staff Sergeant John Schumaker. Please understand that there are variations in spelling Schumaker and that Peshtani didn't speak English at the time.
I am wondering about a possible connection to the plane you speak of.
Sgt. Schumaker told Peshtani that his plane's target was Durres. Peshtani hid and fed Schumaker for some six months. He turned him over to the "British Military Commission" as he described it. He even recalls the name of the British Colonel: MacClean (spelling?)
Peshtani is quite spry and rattled off Schumaker's addres as 4000 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, NY.
Peshtani ended up in a refugee camp for 7 years. He married an Italian Nurse from Modena and came to the U.S. in the mid to late '50's. This explaines why he never had a chance to follow up on Schumaker. When he did with the telephone operator, he had no luck.
Peshtani always wondered how Schumaker made ouT. He would be overjoyed to hear from him. Hopefully, Schumaker is still living. If not, heariing from Schumaker's family would certainly be most satisfying.
I didin't spell scheck. so forgive me for any errors.
If you have any thoughts on how I can pursue this for Peshtani, please let me know.
Best wishes. Albert Sterlini 2202 Derby Rd. Birmingham, MI 48009
cell: 248 470 2202 email:
sebastianwoof@comcast.net