Armand (Red) J. Como was born on June 30, 1923 and raised in Chicopee, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of the four sons of George and Maria (Provost) Como. He grew up in the era of the Great Depression, hard times, and few luxuries. The Como's were a close family, with everyone contributing to life's daily challenges.
December 7, 1941 marked a cultural change in our country; a change that would affect all able-bodied men and some women to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. On October 28, 1942, at the age of 19, Armand and a close friend (Raymond Lussier) joined the Army Air Corps. The buddy system lasted only through basic training; then they lost contact with one another until they were reunited after the war. Along with basic training "Red" attended several technical schools, including Amarillo, Texas "Airplane Mechanic," Boeing Aircraft Co., "Airplane Mechanic" and Las Vegas, Nevada "Flexible Gunnery", to name a few.
Armand completed more than 50 missions throughout his wartime service: 25 missions while assigned to the African Middle Eastern Theater and 25+ missions in the European theater. He was assigned to the crew of the B17G "Flying Fortress" as a waist gunner, engineer, and bombardier. Red served within the 8th Air Force, 305th Bomb Group (H) / 366th Squadron, and the 15th Air Force, 97th Bomb Group / 341st Squadron. He wrote in his diary after his 25th mission "God only knows how long and how many." He received many decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal w/5 oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Unit Badge. After his 50th mission, he mentioned that an airman doesn't have to bleed to be wounded. On July 20, 1945, a Staff Sergeant/E6 at the age of 22, he was discharged a changed man having witnessed death and destruction on a very large scale; those memories took their toll over and over again throughout his life.
Armand married Claire G. Rivest on April 26, 1947, raised 5 children and had 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Armand J. Como died September 5, 2005.