Notes for Anthony Franciscone: FRANCISCONE, FS Antonio (R70951) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.100 Squadron - Award effective 10 January 1944 as per London Gazette dated 18 January 1944 and AFRO 410/44 dated 25 February 1944. Born in Regina, 1922; enlisted there 18 October 1940. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 24 April 1942), No.15 EFTS (graduated 3 July 1942) and No.2 BGS (graduated 16 September 1942).
Flight Sergeant Franciscone has completed a tour of night bombing sorties, operating with conspicuous ability over heavily defended targets in western and northern Germany. On one occasion during an attack on Hanover, just at the commencement of the bombing run, his aircraft was attacked by a Junkers 88 but his skilful directions enabled his captain to accomplish the bombing run and frustrate the attacker. Another time, when the engine of his aircraft caught fire on the way to Leipzig, this airman's able assistance played no small part in the successful completion of the mission and the safe return of the aircraft to base. At all times in air combat, Flight Sergeant Franciscone has shown initiative and determination of a high order, and by skilful co-operation with his pilot has extricated his aircraft from many perilous situations.
NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9153 has recommendation dated 15 November 1943 when he had flown on 27 sorties (167 operational hours).
23 May 43 Dortmund 12 Aug 43 Milan 25 May 43 Dusseldorf 15 Aug 43 Milan 27 May 43 Essen 22 Aug 43 Leverkusen 29 May 43 Wuppertal 23 Aug 43 Berlin 16 June 43 Cologne 27 Aug 43 Nuremburg 21 June 43 Krefeld 30 Aug 43 Munchen Gladbach 28 June 43 Cologne 1 Oct 43 Hagen 8 July 43 Cologne 2 Oct 43 Munich 12July 43 Turin 4 Oct 43 Ludwigshaven 27 July 43 Hamburg 7 Oct 43 Stuttgart 30 July 43 Remscheid 8 Oct 43 Hanover 2 Aug 43 Hamburg 20 Oct 43 Leipzig 9 Aug 43 Mannheim 22 Oct 43 Kassel 10 Aug 43 Nuremburg
Sergeant Franciscone, a Canadian, has completed a very successful tour of night bombing sorties as an Air Gunner, and has operated with conspicuous ability over highly defended targets of western and northern Germany. On one occasion over Hanover he was engaged in combat with a Ju.88 just at the time of bombing, but by skilful direction and cooperation with his captain and rear gunner, he assisted materially in accomplishing the bombing run and shaking off the enemy fighter. On another occasion his aircraft flew for several hours with an engine on fire, reaching its target at Leipzig and making a safe return, partly owing to Sergeant Franciscone's vigilance in assessing the value of cloud cover throughout the homeward trip.
On these and other occasions, as when attacked over his own base by an enemy night intruder, this young Canadian Non-Commissioned Officer proved himself imperturbable, reliable and courageous. His bearing and actions are considered worthy of the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal for which he is strongly recommended.
To this Group Captain R.A.C. Carter (Commanding Officer, RAF Station Grimsby) added on 16 November 1943):
Sergeant Franciscone has proved himself to be a courageous and efficient Air Gunner and his high morale and fine offensive spirit have been an inspiration to the aircrews with which he has flown during his operational tour. In air combat he has shown initiative and determination of a high order and by skilful cooperation with his pilot has succeeded in extricating his aircraft and crew from many perilous situations when held in searchlights and attacked by enemy night fighters.
It is considered that the exceptional fighting qualities displayed by this Non-Commissioned Officer coupled with his cheerfulness and keenness to operate have set an outstanding example to all the other Air Gunners of his squadron and he is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Non-commissioned officers were bestowed with Distinguished Flying Medals and commissioned officers were bestowed with Distinguished Flying Crosses.
More About Anthony Franciscone: Nationality: Italian.
Anthony Franciscone (b. 1922)
Notes for Anthony Franciscone: