Located on an exterior wall of Villa Reghini.

On February 2, 1945, 2LT Thomas Edison “Pancho” Gomez of the 346^thFighter Squadron, 350^thFighter Group, flying his P-47 Thunderbolt (Serial # 42-75879)was part of a “dawn patrol” protecting the airfield at Pisa –San Giusto.  During a period of inclement weather, Gomez and his wingman LT Morrow (flying P-47 Serial #42-25447 “Optimal Sue” collided in mid-air.  2LT Gomez’s plane crashed near Vinci and the 21 year-old resident of Port Arthur, Texas, was killed on impact. LT Morrow’s plane was lost(P-47 Serial #42-25447 “Optimal Sue” ), but he was able to parachute to safety. 

On June 29, 2018, the city of Vinci placed a commemorative plaque on the wall of Villa Reghini to honor 2LT Gomez. The US Consul from Florence, the mayor of Vinci and family members of 2LT Gomez were in attendance 

Thanks to Air Crash Po (Cremona, Italy) for assistance in identifying this crash site, researching the incident, and providing the memorial plaque.

The Text is in English with the image of a P-47 in the middle of the plaque.

Text reads:

In Memory

2lt THOMAS E. GOMEZ

350^thFG USAAF

2-2-1945