DeFranze Joseph

Monuments

Fallen Bombers in Médoc Information Boards

Fallen Bombers in Médoc Monument

Name:

Joseph DeFranze

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

11118062

Unit:

715th Bomber Squadron, 448th Bomber Group

Date of Death:

2000-11-27

State:

Massachusetts

Cemetery:

Saint Joseph Cemetery, Lockbourne, Franklin County, Ohio

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal

Comments:

Joseph DeFranze was born on July 3, 1923. He served in the 715th Bomber Squadron, 448th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Assistant Radio Operator on the B-24 #42-7754 "Harmful Lil' Armful" during World War II.

On December 31, 1943, his crew took off from Station 146 airfield in Seething, England, on a bombing mission to Cognac, France. At around 12:00H, their plane was shot down by a German fighter setting the plane's cabin and engine #3 on fire. The crew evacuated the airplane at 18,000 feet. Their plane crashed near Lesparre-Médoc, France. As a result of this incident, four crew members were taken as prisoners, two members evaded the capture, and two casualties, who were believed to have been killed by the Germans. SSgt DeFranze was one of the evadees. He returned to England on April 20, 1944.

SSgt DeFranze died at his residence on November 27, 2000, at the age of 77. He is now buried in the Saint Joseph Cemetery, Lockbourne, Franklin County, Ohio, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net