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name
FRANZELAS, Paul J - Date of
birth
1924 -
Age
unknown -
Place of birth
Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York -
Hometown
Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32713395 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Waist Gunner -
Unit
743rd Bombardment Squadron,
455th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 April 1944 - Place of
death
Deutschlandsberg, Austria
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 40 | 27 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John Franzelas (father)
Tessie Franzelas (mother)
James Franzelas (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-52224 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Steyr, Austria
Mission: Bombing of the ball bearing factory MACR: 3363
More information
Capt Beverly H. Brookshire:"On April 2, 1944, at approximately 1145, shortly after passing St. Michael, I noticed Lt Cheesman’s ship number 224, B-24, was on fire. The waist compartment was burning and the number 1 engine seemed to be on fire, but the ship was under control, losing altitude slowly. About four minutes later he turned on a heading of approximately 300 degrees and was finally lost from view. After the ship left the formation I saw four parachutes leave the ship".
2nd Lt Andrew F. Celovsky:
"He could have been killed in the destruction of the plane".
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record, www.fold3.com, http://aircrewremembered.com/USAAFCombatOperations/Apr.44.html
Photo source: -