World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Francis J. Abbadessa
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Newark, New Jersey
Honored By
Alexander Jacobs, Jr.
SERVED WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 95TH BOMB GROUP, 412TH BOMB SQUADRON AS A RADIO OPERATOR ON THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS 'BLONDIE II'. ON DECEMBER 11, 1943, HIS AIRCRAFT WAS ON MISSION TO BOMB THE INDUSTRIAL AREA AT EMDEN, GERMANY WHEN IT WAS HIT BY GERMAN ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE AND FORCED TO DITCH IN THE NORTH SEA OFF DANTUMADEEL, NETHERLANDS WITH THE LOSS OF ALL 10 CREW MEMBERS. DECORATIONS: AIR MEDAL, PURPLE HEART, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.