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name
COSTLEY, Francis William - Date of
birth
21 June 1923 -
Age
21 - Place of
birth
Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine -
Hometown
St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-713001 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Navigator -
Unit
702nd Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
27 September 1944 - Place of
death
Eisenach, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| N | 2 | 7 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James E. Costley (father)
Ruth E. Costley (mother)
Grace A. Costley (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-100308 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Our Gal
Destination: Kassel, Germany
MACR: 9763
More information
Francis W. Costley graduated from St. Petersburg High School with the class of 1941. He also attended Junior college for one and a half year before he joined the Air Corps in June 1942.Eyewitness statement:
"100 to 150 E/A attacked our formation from 6 o'clock. They came in about 10 to 15 abreast and there were about 6 rows. B-24s were going down all around, and it was impossible to state which was which. Many parachutes were seen in the area. Many of the planes were seen going down in flames.
"I saw Lt Costley jump, but I was unable to see whether his parachute opened or not."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.newspapers.com - Tampa Bay Times, www.fold3.com - WWII Draft Card, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - Tampa Bay Times, www.ancestry.com - St. Petersburg High School Yearbook 1941