Francis J De Cooman
MilitaryPersonal records
Francis De Cooman was Ball Turret Gunner on board B-17 #42-30259 on a 24 September 1943 practice flight to test PFF equipment and technique. Intercepted by enemy fighters and shot down. Ditched North Sea. He was among the 5 men killed, 5 others were rescued by Royal Navy torpedo boats and returned to duty. MACR 778. Still listed as Missing In Action (MIA)
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17051757
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12046800 at enlistment, then O-673491
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31002387 at enlistment, then O-676883
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32391944
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11063596 at enlistment, then O-798486
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Damifino ii
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 24 September 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Enlisted |
9 September 1942 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | |
Other died by drowning |
24 September 1943 | after the ditching of B-17 42-30259 in the North Sea | |
Born |
Wisconsin, the son of Belgium-born Denis P. and Elodie Mary (Deneweth) De Cooman | ||
Superior City, Douglas County, Wisconsin | |||
South Range, Douglas County, Wisconsin | |||
Other Memorialized |
on the Tablets of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery |
Revisions
Added the words "Possible DUPLICATE" in the nickname field so an admin can check out this person.
Added a "#" to the A/C serial # in the "Summary biography" for clarity.
MACR 778
NARA WWII Enlistment records
US Census 1930
WWII Casualties for Douglas County, Wisconsin
ABMC website
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 778