"Spirit of Martinez"

The Spirit of Martinez: A WWII Legacy

In the heart of Martinez, California, along the Carquinez Strait, the "Spirit of Martinez" collection tells the extraordinary story of 1st Lt. Frank J. Calicura and his B-17 Flying Fortress crew, known as "Cal’s Rascals." Comprising of numerous artifacts, this collection captures their journey from a tight-knit community to the battlefields of WWII, embodying courage, camaraderie, and compassion. These artifacts weave a narrative of a hometown hero and the town that fueled his spirit.

Calicura agreed and when his new ship was delivered he and crew chose "Spirit of Martinez" as the name. In December, they flew it to Europe to join the 95th Bombardment Group station at Horham, Suffolk, England.

Roots in Martinez Born to Italian immigrants Saverio and Angelina Calicura, Frank grew up in a bustling family of 17 siblings, working in his own meat shop within the Star Meat Market on Main Street during the Great Depression. Aviation ran in the family, sparked by his brother Sam Francis Calicura (born Saverio Fredrico Colacurcio), who co-founded the Martinez Airport. Frank’s early ingenuity shone in a 1939 Award of Merit for a model hydroplane, hinting at the skills that would later guide him as a pilot. In June 1942, Frank and his brother Dominic enlisted as Aviation Cadets, inspired by their experience in flight and inspiration of their big brother. Naming his B-17 the "Spirit of Martinez," Frank honored the town’s unwavering support, a bond symbolized by a Short Snorter dollar bill signed by local airmen.

Lt Frank Calicura with his brother Lt. Dominic Calicura. Martinez, Calif. 1944.

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Forging a Pilot Frank’s path to the cockpit was a grueling journey across U.S. training bases. A 1943 Kodachrome slide captures a tender moment with his fiancée Joyce in Alabama, just before the birth of their son, Frank Jr. His first solo flight in Florida, marked by a Woody Woodpecker certificate, and leadership as Flight Sergeant in Georgia showcased his growth. Earning his wings in April 1944 at Turner Field, Frank became a 2nd Lieutenant, his military ID listing Joyce as his anchor back home. A Contra Costa Gazette article recounts a daring flight through a tornado, a testament to his resilience.

Frank and his Wife Joyce Brown Calicura 1943.

Joyce Calicura with her friend "Anne", Martinez, 1943.

Flight Officer Frank Calicura, East Coast Flight Training, 1944.

"Though he preferred lighter aircraft, Frank’s steady demeanor suited the “heavies”—the four-engine B-17s destined for Europe"

"Frank was serious, steady", his widow says. "They take the serious, steady men for the bombers".

When Lt. Calicura graduated from flight training on April 15, 1944 and prepared for assignment and further training, two Calicura boys in addition to him and Dominic were in uniform - brother Nick with the Navy in the Pacific and brother Billy with the infantry in the Europe.

Into the Skies In January 1945, Frank arrived at Horham Airfield, England, commanding the B-17 "Spirit of Martinez" with the 95th Bombardment Group. Leading a crew of ten—Co-Pilot Victor G. Probst, Navigator John R. Barnes, Flight Engineer Earle F. Bogacki, Radio Operator Robert J. Brown, Togglier Marvin L. Markus, Gunners Robert E. Collins and Dale S. Ernest, Tail Gunner James A. Titus, and temporary passenger Illiano—they flew 28 combat missions from February to April 1945. Artifacts like Frank’s Type B-15 flight jacket, with 30 bomb symbols, and 14 mission maps detail strikes on German targets like Chemnitz, Munich, Hamburg, and Swinemünde. A Hamburg aerial photo and newspaper clipping highlight their impact on U-boat production, while personal items like the "Red Bar" card from London reveal moments of respite.

Lt. Frank Calicura (left) with his brother Chief Petty Officer Nick Calicura of the Navy. Martinez, Ca 1944.

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The “Spirit of Martinez” completed 50 combat missions without an abort. Frank’s individual flight record logs 94 hours, 35 minutes for February 1945, certified by Capt. David E. Olsson.

Ariel photos over Hamburg, Germany.

A Mission of Mercy In May 1945, the crew joined Operation Chowhound, delivering food to starving Dutch civilians during the "Hunger Winter." Six black-and-white prints show low-altitude drops over Utrecht, with yellow bomb symbols on Frank’s jacket marking these humanitarian flights. A clipping, "Manna From Heaven For The Dutch," celebrates the 95th Bomb Group’s contribution, a shift from destruction to hope.

A Hero’s Return On VE Day, May 8, 1945, Frank’s 31 missions (28 combat, 3 humanitarian) earned him a recommendation as an instructor and a "Lucky Bastard Club" card for surviving 26 combat missions. Returning to Martinez, he reunited with his son, captured in heartfelt photos, but mourned the loss of Sam Jr. Frank resumed life as a butcher at the Star Meat Market and flew as a commercial pilot. A 1961 visit to the Watts Towers, built by his great-uncle Simon Rodia, tied him to his family’s artistic legacy. Tragically, Frank died of a heart attack in 1962 at 41, leaving behind Joyce and their sons.

Flight record of Frank's certified by David E.Olsson.

Lt. Frank Calicura greets Capt. David Olsson (middle) before take off. March. 1945. Horham Airbase.

Martinez’s pride shines in local artifacts. An April 1945 letter retelling credits the ground crew for the “Spirit of Martinez”’s 50 missions, while a War Finance Committee clipping celebrates the town’s War Bonds effort. A “Public Forum” article notes Martinez’s attempt to buy a B-17 in Frank’s honor.

Lt. Frank Calicura meets with his brother at a New York base while waiting for assignment, 1944.

From a Local News Paper Article

"Olsson, now a resident of San Jose, remembers that the summons for the photo opportunity was the first he knew of the "Spirit of Martinez". A 1935 graduate of Alhambra, he had known younger Calicura slight here and there at home saw little of him at the air base.

"Only on rare occasions did Frank's and my paths cross" say Olsson. " I was working afternoons and the first half of the night, while Frank was getting some rest, then I was doing the same thing while he was getting up and ready for flying his mission. The pilot did attend Olsson's bachelor party before he married his English wife, Comfort"

The 95th B.G was an outstanding unit Olsson says." It got two Presidential (unit) Citations. Nobody else got two in that theatre.

The 95th led the first American attack on Berlin and participated in a shuttle bombing of a Messerschmitt plant in Regensberg to earn the citations.

Flying about 33 missions from January to April, Calicura sent clippings home from the "Stars and Stripes" about each of the raids he piloted the "Spirit of Martinez." Williams carefully glued the I numbered articles on the black scrapbook pages she put in a specially made wooden scrap-book she keeps to this day.

37 B-17's 95th B.G (13th Combat Wing) seen in formation leaving contrails.

Victory and Legacy: A Hero’s Return

On VE Day, May 8, 1945, Frank’s service was honored with a memorandum from Col. H. Stuart, certifying 31 missions and recommending him as an instructor. A Short Snorter card for the “Lucky Bastard Club” celebrates surviving 26 combat missions. The crew’s bond is evident in these keepsakes, forged under Frank’s steady leadership.

2nd LT. Frank Calicura's Officer I.D

After the war, Frank returned to Martinez, resuming his career as a butcher with his brother Billy on Main Street, as noted in a Martinez News-Gazette article. His Airman Rating Record documents his post-war role as a commercial pilot and instructor. A photo and pamphlet from the Watts Towers in the late 1950s reveal his connection to his great-uncle, Simon Rodia, the towers’ creator. Tragically, Frank died of a heart attack in 1961 at age 41, leaving a legacy preserved in this collection.

Unidentified 95th B.G Crew Officer.

95th B.G over Brunswick, Germany

"Frank said the crew worried every time (the back-up crew) took it out until it came back." The "Spirit" was a dependable ship, Calicura wrote in a letter to Taylor and other civic boosters. An engine was changed after the plane flew nearly 50 missions with 400 combat hours to its credit.

"We can brag about her, Ray," he wrote.

"Dear Ray:
I received your letter of Marth 30th, and very glad of course to hear from you. At the present time my crew has been on 28 combat missions over the Reich, paying our respects to Adolf and the boys. With Only seven more to go, we're really looking forward to returning to the States, if even for a short time. "The Spirit" as we call her, has been stood down since yesterday, being out of commission temporarily. They changed one of her engines, the third after nearly 50 combat missions and over 400 combat hours to her credit. We can brag about her Ray, in all those missions, not once did we or those others who were fortunate to fly her, have to turn back; abort as we call it.
One Reason for that is, and I'd say the most important, is the pride of the crew chief and ground crew take in their work, for they know how much she means to us.
I know the next Bond Drive will be a successful as No.6. I wish the people at home knew how much it means, perhaps they do knowing "our ship" is part of their efforts.
Things here in the European Theatre, certainly are looking bright and I hope it ends before long. Then we can put forth our entire efforts in destroying our other enemy.
Ray, we should be the honored ones, in having the people at home asking us to name it after our town. I sincerely hope that all the boys from home are able to be with their families in the near future.
Thanks again for the letter and I, too, am thinking of Martinez and all of you. See all of you soon, I hope, and 'til then good luck to all of you.

Sincerely,
FRANK CALICURA"
- Local newspaper

"In all those missions; not once did we or those others who were fortunate to fly her, have to turn back; abort as we call it."

Martinez was pleased to brag about the plane and its crew members, all of whom were adopted by the City, according to the Gazette editorial.

"The nine young men who comprise the crew of the B-17 passed up their wives, girlfriends, cartoon characters and suppressed desires in naming their plane, in order to give a little boost to a city which had supported them with generous purchases of war bonds.

T/SGT Earle Bogacki Engineer and Top Turret of the "Spirit of Martinez".

The Martinez Kiwanis Club decided to go a step further and purchase mementos for each crew member. Fine leather wallets, unobtainable on the retail market at the time, were purchased and inscribed with "Spirit of Martinez" and each crew member's name. As Germany's collapse became imminent, the crew and the townspeople thought the plane would be transferred to the Pacific where the war was expected to last another two years.