Francis John Burns

Military
Technical Sergeant Francis John Burns, a gunner of the 303rd Bomb Group, with his accordion. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and' 257526.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"He'll have music wherever he goes". T/Sergt. Francis John Burns, of 20 Greenville St., Somerville, Mass. is now serving as a gunner with the U.S. Army Air Force in Britain. He has been on 14 raids and holds the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster. He w media-378854.jpg FRE 986 Technical Sergeant Francis John Burns, a gunner of the 303rd Bomb Group, with his accordion. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and' 257526.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"He'll have music wherever he goes". T/Sergt. Francis John Burns, of 20 Greenville St., Somerville, Mass. is now serving as a gunner with the U.S. Army Air Force in Britain. He has been on 14 raids and holds the Air Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster. He was formerly a clerk with the Metropolitan Ice Co. 321, Washington St., Somerville, Mass, and is 28 years old. He sends his love to his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Jospeh Burns, at Greenville St. Educated at Burnett School, Sergt. Burns says that he wants to knock hell out of the Jerries and then get home to the eggs and steaks. U 75. Not to be published before Apl 20, 1943' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 986 - Technical Sergeant Francis John Burns, a gunner of the 303rd Bomb Group, with his accordion. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs...

Assigned to 358BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. Flew 25 missions Flew mostly on 'Skywolf', pilot was Morales. All original crew members came home to the USA.





Awards: DFC, AM (2OLC), BS, GC, WWII Victory, EAME (1 x Battle Stars).

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-435877
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sky Wolf
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Somerville, Massachusetts 20 October 1913

Enlisted

Boston, MA 16 October 1941 Boston, Massachusetts

Died

Somerville, MA 1 August 2005

Buried

Malden, MA 5 August 2005 Malden, Massachusetts

Based

Molesworth Assigned to 358BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self/nephew

Francis John Burns: Gallery (2 items)