Tech Sergeant Frank J. Colestro
Flight Engineer, 333rd Bomber Squadron
94th Bomber Group, Heavy
Hometown: Hilton Street, Bradford
Killed in action 6 October 1944
Over Germany
Age: 25

Brother of Anthony P. Colestro

Second Son of Bradford Family Killed in Action

For the second time within 18 months. Domonic Colestro of Bradford has received a telegram from the War Department informing him of the death of a son in action overseas.
Latest of his sons to give his life for his country was Technical Sergeant Frank J. Colestro of the Army Air Corps who was killed over Germany on October 6, 1944.

First of the Colestro boys to pay with his life was Staff Sergeant Anthony P. Colestro of the United States Infantry, missing in action in the battle of Sidi Bou Zid. Tunisia, on February 4, 1943. A year later, when no trace of him was reported, the War Department officially declared him dead.

(McKean County Democrat November 16 1944)


Frank J Colestro
United States World War II Army Enlistment Records
Name Frank J Colestro
Name (Original) COLESTRO FRANK J
Event Type Military Service
Event Date 27 Sep 1940
Term of Enlistment Enlistment for the Philippine Department
Event Place Olean, New York, United States
Race White
Citizenship Status citizen
Birth Year 1919
Birthplace PENNSYLVANIA
Education Level 4 years of high school
Civilian Occupation Semiskilled welders and flame cutters
Marital Status Single, without dependents
Military Rank Private
Army Branch Air Corps
Army Component Regular Army (including Officers, Nurses, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men)
Source Reference Civil Life
Serial Number 12003360
Affiliate ARC Identifier 1263923
Box Film Number 00761.69
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Plane data: (Serialnumber, MACR, etc.)
Serialnumber: 43-38207
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Industry
MACR: 9351
Date of death: 6 October 1944
Status: KIA
Place of death: Near English Coast line, Great Britain
Spot: 1,5 miles off shore 52º28'N - 01º46'E
The aircraft of First Lieutenant Earl E Tjomsland was the lead aircraft of a group (13 A/C) and was flying in Wing formation as lead of the low group. At approximately 20 minutes after departure of English coast while flying about 53º15'N - 03º30'E, the aircraft left the formation, peeling off to the right and flew in a westerly direction. One (1) engine was feathered. Flying control of the home base of this aircraft received a message from this aircraft asking at what position their bomb load could be dropped. Requested information was immediately given but the message was never acknowledged. At 0943 hours the message was given that an aircraft was ditching. The aircraft landed on the water while flying from South to North, landed safely and remained afloat for approximately one (1) minute. No persons were observed to leave the aircraft. Eventually two bodies (both men, Major James E Blount (Co-Pilot) and T/Sgt Frank J Colestro (T.T. Gunner) were drowned) and a empty dinghy were picked up near the scene of the ditching. No other crewmember could be found so it is therefore believed that the remainder of the crew drowned.

1st Lt Tjomsland washed up on the West Zeeland Flanders coast. Buried by the Germans at the general cemetery in Groede, Netherlands. Excavated on July 20, 1945 and transferred to Margraten, Netherlands.

Joel Frampton Gilfert (#47274394)
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