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Personal info

Full name
PICARELLI, Francis Dominic
Date of birth
22 September 1925
Age
19
Place of birth
Watertown, Jefferson County, New York
Hometown
Jefferson County, New York

Military service

Service number
42090135
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Waist Gunner
Unit
700th Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
12 December 1944
Place of death
Langendiebach near Hanau, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 31 18

Immediate family

Members
Louis Picarelli (father)
Mary L. (Gallo) Picarelli (mother)
Julie A. Picarelli (sister)
Mary Picarelli (sister)
Angela Picarelli (sister)
Robert L. Picarelli (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
44-10493
Data
Type: B-24J
Destination: Hanau, Germany
MACR: 11087

More information

Sgt Francis D. Picarelli graduated from Watertown High School in June 1943.
He entered the service in January, 1944. He was sent overseas in October, 1944.
Ship 493 received a direct hit by flak between the 3 and 4 engines. The right wing came off and the plane went into a flat spin.

Sgt Francis D. Picarelli is remembered at Glenwood Cemetery in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York with a memorial marker.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Watertown Daily Times - 15 November 1944, www.findagrave.com