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name
FERNAN, Francis T - Date of
birth
31 May 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Elmira, Chemung County, New York -
Hometown
Chemung County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12201367 -
Rank
Corporal -
Function
unknown -
Unit
HQ Company,
2nd Battalion,
501st Parachute Infantry Regiment,
101st Airborne Division,
Mortar Platoon
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
4 November 1944 - Place of
death
Heteren, Holland
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 3 | 21 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Leo P. Fernan (father)
Ester M. Fernan (mother)
Richard J. Fernan (brother)
Margaret Fernan (sister)
Marian Fernan (sister)
Marion Fernan (wife)
Biography
http://www.heroesforever.nl/Francis%20T.%20Fernan.htmMore information
Cpl Francis T. Fernan graduated from the Elmira Free Academy in June 1942. He was a star tackle on the 1942 Elmira High School's football team and also threw the discuss on the high school track team.He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Buffalo, New York on 2 December 1942. He trained at fort Benning and Camp Mackall and received his paratrooper wings at Camp Taccoa.
He was sent overseas in January 1944 and took part in the invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944.
Cpl Fernan was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Molenhoek, the Netherlands.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.heroesforever.nl., newspaper article
Photo source: Diane Knechtges, Hans Wijnands