Monuments
Name:
Francis R. Silvia
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Serial Number:
31289498
Unit:
547th Bomber Squadron, 384th Bomber Group
Date of Death:
0000-00-00
State:
Rhode Island
Cemetery:
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Comments:
SSgt Francis R. Silvia, left gunner of the B-17 42-31059 “Patches”, took off from station 106 in Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, UK on a bombing mission over Schweinfurt, Germany. They were shot down by German fighters at 1630. Only the bombardier Lt Wilson died, possibly due to a malfunctioning parachute. Silvia was able to escape to Switzerland with the help of local families.