Lt Francis Pollio Brooklyn Eagle 22 Jun1945

Plane Crash Victim

After completing 25 missions as a bombardier over German-held territory, 1st Lt Francis X Pollio of 8929 Shore Road was killed June 13 in a plane crash in England on the first leg of a flight home. It was learned today. He was 21.

The plane, the B-24 Liberator bomber, Betty Lou, crashed in the hills of South Ayrshire, England, en route from Lancashire to Prestwick Scotland, killing 17 persons and injuring three.

Lieutenant polio had been in action until the end of hostilities in Europe. He was the holder of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, The Bronze Medal and tow citations for outstanding service.

Born in Brooklyn, he was graduated from St Ephrem’s Parochial School in Bay Ridge and the New York Military Academy at Cornwall after which he attended State Agricultural College at Cobleskill New York.

Enlisting in the army late in 1942, he was appointed to the R O T C at Plattsburgh N. Y where he was commissioned a second lieutenant. After serving 14 months with the 8th Armored Division, he was transferred to the Air Corps and was graduated from St Angelo Texas Aeronautical School as a bombardier. Overseas he served with the 8th Air Force in the lead crew, operating from England

Surviving are his parents Albert and Anna Pollio; a sister, Rose, and a brother, Joseph.