Gene Frolli Franscioni was born on March 13, 1915, in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, California. He was married to Carol Franscioni. He enlisted in the service on October 20, 1942. He served in the 14th Troop Carrier Squadron, 61st Troop Carrier Group, as a Captain and Co-pilot of B-24 42-7609 nicknamed ''Lazy Lou'' during World War II.

On December 18, 1944, the B-24 Liberator “Lazy Lou” (42-7609) of the 61st Troop Carrier Group, 14th Troop Carrier Squadron, took off from RAF Barkston Heath when it collided mid-air with a C-109 over Carlton Scroop. The collision destroyed its rear control surfaces and disabled engines on the left wing. Despite heavy damage, the crew managed to regain limited control and attempted to reach RAF Cranwell for an emergency landing. With only two engines functioning, the aircraft struggled to maintain altitude and crash-landed in a field between High Wood, North Rauceby, and the A17 road, just short of the airfield. Two of the crew were killed, three survived, and their Dalmatian mascot, “Major Jerry,” who had accompanied them throughout their missions, was mortally injured in the crash.

Cpt Franscioni survived the crash and returned to duty the following day. He ended his military service as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was also the former manager and owner of Medlock Crop Dusters. He died on July 7, 2004, and is now buried in the Davis Cemetery, Davis, Yolo County, California, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com, www.loveden.org.uk