When Vernon LeRoy Francisco was born on February 13, 1924, in Hamden, New York, his father, Alton, was 29 and his mother, Deetta, was 25. He graduated from Delaware Academy and Delhi Central School in June, 1942, and helped on the home farm during the summer, and also assisted at Fred Turner's gas station at Fraser until Nov. 25, 1942, when he joined the paratroopers. He volunteered for overseas service and was sent overseas in April, 1943. He landed in North Africa saw service in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Ireland, England, France, Holland and Belgium. He was never granted a furlough in all this time. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a Sergeant in Company F, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He died from his wounds received in battle on January 4, 1945 (at the age of 20) and is now buried in Walton Cemetery, Walton, Delaware County, New York, USA.