Francis explained to me how he acquired the nickname Cisco. It is a shortened form of Francisco, which the Hispanic and Italian boys used during his youth. The nickname has stuck with him to this day.

Grenier Field

On September 4, 1941, Cisco left Penacook, New Hampshire and enlisted in the USAAF at Grenier Field at Manchester, New Hampshire.

Between September and November 1941, Francis took his Basic Training at Keesler AAF in Biloxi, Mississippi.

From December 1941 until late February 1942, he took his training in Armament at Lowry AAF in Colorado.

USAT Mariposa

On March 19, 1942, Francis boarded the USAT Mariposa at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay and landed in Melbourne, Australia on April 8, 1942.

After arriving in Melbourne, Francis was at Camp Murphy until the end of July. From Melbourne, he went to RAAF Base Williamtown, which is north of Newcastle, Australia until October 6, 1942 before being assigned to the Armament Section of the 90th BS  3rd BG on October 8, 1942 at Charters Towers.

Cisco moved with the Group to Port Moresby, New Guinea and was with them all the way to Okinawa. He returned to the States in August 1945 to Ft. Devins in Massuchusetts until his discharge on October 26, 1945.

Port Moresby

Nadzab

After his discharge, Francis worked a number of years in construction until joining the Concord Fire Department from which he retired as Deputy Chief after 25 years in 1978.

After retiring from the Fire Department, he worked as a millwright for the Brezner Tannery as well as 17 years as a school bus driver with the Merrimack Valley School System.

He still resides in Concord and it is most notable that he has probably attended more reunions of the 3rd Bomb Group and all of its squadrons than anyone else.

Cisco - It was a great pleasure to speak to you. Thank you for your service to our country. I've got your number and definitely will call again.