World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Michael M. Basca
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Honored By
John Peterson
HE WAS SENT OVERSEAS TO ENGLAND IN DECEMBER 1943 TO JOIN THE PATTON’S THIRD ARMY, IN THE FOURTH ARMORED DIVISION. THEY TRAINED EXTENSIVELY, AND ACTED AS A DECOY FOR THE COMING INVASION OF NORMANDY. ON JULY 11 THE DIVISION LANDED IN FRANCE, THROUGH THE UTAH LANDING BEACH AT NORMANDY. THE DIVISION ENTERED COMBAT ON JULY 17, DRIVING SOUTH TO SECURE THE BRITTANY PENINSULA. THEN THE HARD CHARGING ARMY TURNED EAST AND SWEPT ACROSS FRANCE OVER 250 MILES TO THE CITY OF NANCY. HE DIED IN COMBAT IN THE FRENCH TOWN OF OBRECK NOVEMBER 11, 1944 WHEN A GERMAN 88 MM-ROUND HIT THE TANK HE WAS COMMANDING.