Anthony L. Piscitelli

Anthony L 'Tony' Piscitelli was a fighter pilot that served with the 55th Fighter Group, 343rd Fighter Squadron during the Second World War. He entered the service from Brooklyn, NY in 1942. Lt. Piscitelli was killed while strafing Coulommiers Airdrome (40 km. east of Paris) on 10 April 1944. He is buried at Epinal Military Cemetery in Eastern France.

Entered service from Brooklyn, New York. ASN - 0-753724 11 January 1944 - Joined the 343rd Fighter Squadron 1 March 1944 - Appointed Squadron Oxygen Officer March 1944 - Promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant 10 April 1944 - Killed in Action MACR No. 03725

The Group had been on its first Droop Snoot mission and finished up by strafing Coulommiers Airdrome, 40 km. east of Paris. 2/Lt. Ralph S. Seely reported: "On April 10, 1944, from 20,000 feet altitude, north east of the field, Col. Crowell, Lt. Piscitelli and myself went into a steep spiral down to the deck. We approached the field from the north east, Col. Crowell preceding us into the target, Lt. Piscitelli and myself flying almost line abreast. At the edge of the field I noticed intense anti-aircraft fire originating at the base of some hangars to our left.  We were flying at zero altitude.  Lt. Piscitelli caught fire in his right engine.  Half way across the field he was still on fire and still flying at zero altitude.  I strafed and observed no aircraft in the hangars, or on the ground.  I lost contact with Lt. Piscitelli though I observed black smoke behind me and to the left."

Lt. Piscitelli perished in the crash of his aircraft on the south east edge of the airfield. The aircraft was 80% destroyed with the only large component remaining being the right tail boom. The letters CY-B were recorded from that part of the aircraft. On April 11, Lt Piscitelli was buried at Coulommiers Cemetery. After the war, he was moved to the American Military Cemetery at Epinal, in eastern France. [German report J 820]

Awards and decorations
Awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart.