Fortunato Vincent Chiccarelli was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the son of Joseph B. Chiccarelli. He served in the 423rd Bomber Squadron, 306th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B17G #4231388 during World War II.

On February 11, 1944, B-17G #42-31388 departed from Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, on a daylight bombing mission toward Germany but was heavily damaged by anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters while en route to Frankfurt. Unable to remain in formation and losing fuel and altitude over France, the crew was forced to abandon the aircraft; S/Sgt James H. Coleman was killed, while the surviving crew members parachuted into the Oise region, where some were captured, and others escaped with the aid of the French Resistance. The aircraft continued briefly without its crew before crashing at La Cour de la Bruyère, in the commune of Campremy.

TSgt Chiccarelli was captured and held as a prisoner of war at Dulag Luft, Gross-Tychow Dulag 12. His arm was nearly severed when he bailed out, and it was amputated in the prison camp. He died on July 25, 1998. Currently, we don't have details about his burial location.

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