Memorial

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Thomas Francis attended A&M College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) as a member of the class of 1940, majoring in Agricultural Engineering. He graduated from Cadet School at Brooks Field in September 1942 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

While the formation was under enemy aircraft attack, this B-17 pulled out of the formation to the left and was seen circling under control with fires under inboard sections and both wings.

None of the crew knew exactly what had happened to Lt Francis. German interrogators told the co-pilot during his interrogation that they had shot Francis. There was some doubt in the co-pilot's mind that this happened as the Germans were trying to intimidate them to extract information on the flight.

The following is a witness account of the top turret gunner: "From out of the sun, the Me-109s cut through the flight path. In the top turret, I could follow their path around our formation, and I spotted two fighters peel off and enter our airspace. I called for Pallandino (left waist gunner) to spot his target. I opened fire and followed the 109 across my horizon. Petrillo (right waist gunner) opened fire, but the fighter escaped the barrage of lead. Two more entered the fray. The second 109 hit the plane ahead (Chas. Baker aircraft), the cabin exploded, and the ship did a complete loop, over and out of formation. Tom Francis (pilot) pulled up, trying to miss the flaming debris. Another German cut in front of us and placed a shell in our left wing. Our Fortress shook, and the wing burst into flame. Tom called out he had lost control and to abandon ship."

Lt Francis was the only casualty. The other nine crew members were taken prisoner.