Francis J De Cooman

Military
media-38263.jpeg UPL 38263 Gossage crew

Personal records

Object Number - UPL 38263 - Gossage crew

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

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

Places

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

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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.

Date
Contributorlowbuckbob
Changes
Sources

TJDon archives

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 778
NARA WWII Enlistment records
US Census 1930
WWII Casualties for Douglas County, Wisconsin
ABMC website

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 778

Francis J De Cooman: Gallery (1 items)