Memorial

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T/Sgt Francis J. Mc Carthy was a graduate of Father Ryan High School and graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1937. He was employed at Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Nashville, Tennessee on 11 August 1942 and had been overseas since October 1944. He had completed 28 missions.

Statement from S/Sgt George Little, crew member of another B-17 in the same group:
"We were flying over the target at 20,500 feet altitude when I observed aircraft B-17G, 42-31333 to receive a direct flak hit approximately between the bomb-bay and the No. 2 engine. The aircraft immediately started into a vertical dive. The aircraft fuselage was on fire and when it had dropped approximately 5,000 feet the left wing fell off. It continued down when the fuselage was about 3,000 feet from the ground it exploded, and then exploded again when it hit the ground. I saw no crew members leave the aircraft or parachutes open."
All nine crew members were killed.

Note: The mission took place on 8 April 1945. The date of death of T/Sgt Mc Carthy in incorrectly stated in the records of ABMC. To keep this agreement, this incorrect date is also mentioned here