World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Francis J. Bednarek
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Ashley, Pennsylvania
SERVED FROM AUGUST 3, 1942 UNTIL HIS DEATH ON AUGUST 23, 1944. SERVED WITH THE 725TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, 451ST BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 15TH AIR FORCE. SERVED AS THE NAVIGATOR ON A B-24 LIBERATOR NICKNAMED THE 'EXTRA JOKER'. WAS KILLED IN ACTION NEAR TURNITZ, AUSTRIA, WHEN HIS AIRCRAFT WAS SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FW-190'S. ALL CREW MEMBERS WERE KILLED. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART.