DOB/DOD: February 23, 1922 (Norwalk, CT) – August 15, 1991 (Sarasota, FL); 69 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Betty A. Hogan (1930-2021) on April 8, 1961, in Norwalk, CT
CHILDREN: Three sons, Victor (1962-), Edward (1963-), and Raymond (1965-)
LOCAL ADDRESS: 4 Harriet Street
ENLISTMENT: December 18, 1942
DISCHARGE: September 5, 1945
SERVICE NUMBER: 31272595
UNIT: 1st Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
FAMILY: Born to Orazio (1894-1942) and Elvira Santarello Francavilla (1896-1966). Two sisters, Mary Francavilla Hansen (1918-1983) and Christine Francavilla Vincent (1920-1993). Two brothers, John J. (1923-2007) and Anthony P. Jr. (1933-1998).
Norwalk High School Class of 1939
Narrative from Victor Francavilla about his father’s Purple Heart medal:
“As a scout for the 325th of the 82nd Airborne, he was with a small squad in a farmhouse on top of a hill. They cut a small slit in the roof and were radioing fire coordinates to artillery sites farther in the rear. The Germans had pinpointed the source of the radio and fired a motor round, which hit my dad in the skull, knocking him unconscious. His squad carried him in a makeshift stretcher to a field hospital. Due to a medical breakthrough, they were able to put a metal plate in his head. As my dad remembers, he woke up in the hospital in Framingham, Massachusetts, on VE Day.” (Used with permission)
Member of the National Purple Heart Museum’s “Roll of Honor.”
Photo contributed by Victor Francavilla, son of PFC Francavilla
From The Norwalk Hour August 30, 1944
NORWALKERS LANDED WITH GLIDER TROOP
PFC Frank J. Francavilla of 4 Harriet street and PFC Francis A. Gallicchio of 107 Wall Street are members of a glider troop of the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division, which had landed hours before the Allied soldiers were wading to the beaches of France on D-Day and which held off two full German divisions that were trying to break through to stop the landings. The unit fought for 33 days without relief or replacements, and they accomplished every mission assigned to them. The regiment was part of the force which drove the enemy northwest of Ste. Mere Eglise and after joining in the coordinated crossing of the Douve River at Pont L’Abbe, became part of the mighty drive toward La Haye du Puits, called the “Battle of the Hills and Ridge.” During one stage of the fighting, a squad of six men under Sergeant Clarence Rohrbacker of Columbus, Ohio, captured 42 Germans who had taken shelter in a French farmhouse. On another occasion, the same squad staged a feint which drew a German force from its strong point and enabled an entire American battalion to bypass the place and later capture the Germans.
From The Norwalk Hour October 19, 1944
Private First Class Frank J. Francavilla of Harriet Street was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action in Normandy, France. The citation reads, “Learning that a small group of friendly troops had been isolated behind enemy lines, PFC Francavilla moved through the enemy lines under heavy hostile fire and made contact with the isolated troops, returned to his battalion commander, and guided a relieving force through the enemy territory. By his action, he made possible the securing of a salient in the enemy territory and the relief of our troops. During his movement, PFC Francavilla destroyed several enemy emplacements.”
From The Norwalk Hour September 12, 1945
Private First Class Frank J. Francavilla, 23, of 4 Harriet Street, who was inducted into the service on December 5, 1942, has been discharged from the Army. PFC Francavilla, attached to the First Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry, is a possessor of several awards, including the Purple Heart received after he was wounded in action in Germany on February 16. His other awards include the Rifle Marksman Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with four bronze service stars, Silver Star Medal, Glider Badge, Distinguished Unit Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Croix de Guerre, and the Good Conduct Medal. He participates in the Sicily, Naples, and Foggia campaigns and in the invasion of Normandy and the Rhineland.
From The Norwalk Hour August 17, 1991
Frank J. Francavilla, formerly of Norwalk, died Thursday in Sarasota. He was the husband of Betty A. Francavilla. Born in Norwalk on February 23, 1922, Mr. Francavilla was a postal clerk and floor tile businessman. Mr. Francavilla was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Post No. 3, the American Legion, Post No. 30, the Italian-American Club of Venice, and the Church of the Incarnation. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a recipient of the Purple Heart and Silver Star. In addition to his wife, Mr. Francaville is survived by three sons, Victor Francavilla of Riverview, Fla. and Edward Francavilla and Raymond Francavilla, both of Sarasota; a sister, Christine Vincent of St. Louis, Missouri; three brothers, Joseph Francavilla of Norwalk, Tony Francavilla of West Palm Beach, Florida, and John Francavilla of Sarasota; two grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Hanson. A memorial Mass will be in St. Joseph Church in South Norwalk a 9 a.m. Monday. A funeral liturgy will be held at 10 am. Monday in the Church of the Incarnation. Interment will follow in Palms Memorial Park. Friends may call from 1:30 to 4 pm. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Romaine-Sarasom Funeral Home, 3240 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. A vigil service will take place at 2 pm Sunday at the funeral home. The family requests that contributions be made to the Incarnation School Fund, 2901 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, Florida 34239.
Buried in Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Avenue, Sarasota, Florida; Garden of Cross Section, Plot 530B; photo from FindAGrave.com
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