Francis Holmes Paronto died July 12, 1943 in Papua, New Guinea during World War II. He is buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines.
Francis was born November 16, 1916 in Wakeeney, Kansas, Edmond Roy & Blanch Lusetta (Fosdick) Paronto. . He was married to Myrtle Marie (Bixler) Paronto, in Newton, Kansas.
Francis was a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Service #O-740368
321st Bomber Squadron 90th Bombardment Group 5th Air Force
Enlisted on 31 Mar 1942 at Fort Riley, Kansas
He was a crewman on B-24D-20-CO “Seafood Mama” Bomber Serial #41-24219. On July 12, 1943 took off at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on a bombing mission against Rabaul on New Britain Island, Paupa New Guinea. While over the target, they were shot down by enemy Japanese fighters off the Gazelle Peninsula. The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The remains of the crew were located from November to December 1944 and were buried in the USAAF Cemetery at Soputa, Paupa New Guinea on December 18, 1944. At the end of the war, the remains were exhumed and transported for permanent burials, some of the crew at Manila American Cemetery.
Killed in Action (KIA) on 12 Jul 1943. Listed on a Monument at Fort William McKinley, Manila, the Philippines
Francis received the Purple Heart Medal.
