Duane Francies

Merritt Duane Francies
Lieutenants Duane Francies and William Martin by the small plane flown on reconnaissance missions over France and Germany.
Nickname(s)	Bo, Doc
Born	(1921-07-15)July 15, 1921 Wenatchee, Washington
Died	May 5, 2004(2004-05-05) (aged 82) Chelan, Washington
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army Air Forces
Years of service	1941-1946
Rank	First lieutenant
Commands	5th Armored Division 7lst Armored Field Artillery Battalion
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Bronze Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross

First lieutenant Duane Francies (July 15, 1921 – May 5, 2004) was a military aviator who earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.

Early life

He was the only son of Merritt Charles Francies and Kathleen Horan Francies. Duane witnessed the landing of Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon after the first nonstop trans-Pacific flight, driving his desire to be a pilot. After graduation from Wenatchee High School in 1939, he attended Seattle Pacific College and Wenatchee Valley College where he had civilian pilot training.

Military service

Three days after Pearl Harbor, Francies enlisted with the Army. Along with his observer William Martin, both used their Colt 45 to down a German Storch on April 11, 1945. This story was related in Cornelius Ryan's book The Last Battle (Ryan) in 1966. Twice recommended for a Distinguished Flying Cross during the war, it was not until Scoop Jackson took up the issue and the medal was awarded in 1967.(Martin had already been awarded the DFC years before)

Later life

After WW2, Francies worked for Foote Mineral Co. for 23 years. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, Kiwanis, Experimental Aircraft Association, and member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church.

External links

• 5th Armored Division