Daly Francis A.

Name:

Francis A. Daly

Rank:

Sergeant

Serial Number:

42027163

Unit:

602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1944-10-28

State:

New York

Cemetery:

Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium

Plot:

A

Row:

43

Grave:

15

Decoration:

Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Francis A. Daly was born on October 13, 1925, in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. He was the son of Sylvester John Daly and Marie A. Schultz. He enlisted in the service on December 17, 1943. He served in the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, as a Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of B-17 #44-6519 during World War II.

On October 28, 1944, B-17G 44-6519 participated in a bombing mission targeting Münster, Germany. Shortly after releasing its bombs at approximately 14:30, the aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft flak. Witnesses reported that the aircraft entered a slight dive, and moments later, the tail section exploded near the waist door or slightly behind. The bomber crashed near Nienberge, northwest of Münster. Tragically, eight of the nine crew members were killed in action, and only one survived and was captured by German forces, becoming a prisoner of war.

Sgt Daly is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium. Francis A. Daly's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 11, in the bottom left wing (section C).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org