Francis served as a Corporal, 32nd Photographic Squadron, 5th Reconnaissance Group, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on January 2, 1942 in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Sales Clerk and also as Single, without dependents.

Francis was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227) when the ship was sunk off Algiers by a aerial torpedo dropped by a German Ju 88 bomber. The ship sank within 30 seconds due to the high amount of explosives on board.

A total of 580 men where lost with only one body being recovered.

Francis was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal & World War II Victory Medal.

Service # 11036043

Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett

Francis served as a Corporal, 32nd Photographic Squadron, 5th Reconnaissance Group, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on January 2, 1942 in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Sales Clerk and also as Single, without dependents.

Francis was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227) when the ship was sunk off Algiers by a aerial torpedo dropped by a German Ju 88 bomber. The ship sank within 30 seconds due to the high amount of explosives on board.

A total of 580 men where lost with only one body being recovered.

Francis was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal & World War II Victory Medal.

Service # 11036043

Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett