Nunzio D. Paola


Sgt    18139018    615th
Louisiana
1923 - 1944

Radio Operator aboard 42-31193 (Little Boots)


Old Winnsboro cementery, Winnsboro, Louisiana, USA
1923 - 1944




     Nunzio was born Aug 1, 1923, Franklin, Louisiana.
     He enlisted to the air corps.

     In 1943 he arrived in England to join the 401st BG
     His last mission, Jan 29, 1944, Target: Frankfurt, the plane was damaged by flak.
     On the return flight the plane was hit by 12 German fighters

     Unfortunately, Nunzio was killed

     He was awarded with an Air Medal and a Purple Heart Medal

     In 1944, when Nunzio died on the age of 20 he left behind his family :

         His father, Sam Paolo, age 43
         His mother, Mary F. Paolo, age 39




Mission to Frankfurt, germany, attacked by enemy aircrafts and blown up not much later.
Crashed near Worms, Germany


Little Boots crew
Top Row, L-R: Robert W. Beers - Howard Elliot Byrne - Unknown - Unknown.
Front Row, L-R: Unknown - Unknown - Unknown - Unknown - Clarence Edgar Young - Franklin M. Grigg






Individual casualty questionaire

Told by 2nd Lt Howard Elliot Byrne , Co-Pilot.

- Name of crew member : Paola , Nunzio D.
- Rank : Sgt.
- Serial number : 18139018
- Position : Radio Operator.

- Did he bail out ? : Dont know.

- Where ? : Near Worms, Germany

- Last contact just prior to loss of plane ? : About 5 minutes before lost of plane

- Was he injured ? : Dont know.

- Any explanation of his fate ? : My belief is that he was killed at his station as we were raked by very
                                                         heavy machine gun , 20 millimeter , fire.
                                                         This belief is based wholly on supposition

- Total number of missions of above crew member ? : Dont know.







Little Boots ( Boots was the nickname of Capt Beers wife )



If you have questions, remarks or information , please feel free to Email me
or leave a message in my guestbook

Top