Lieuts. Doell, Ostrowski Die In English Skies On D-Day
Michael Froehlich, Missing A Year, Now Dead
Al Culkin, Patsy Barbone, B-24 Gunners Missing

Sgt. Patrick J. Barbone, of Eugene Place, was killed in a pre-invasion bombing over France on June 2.

According to the Eighth Air Force history, the role of the heavy bombers from June 2-5 in preparation for the invasion of Normandy on June 6 included continuation of attacks against transportation and airfield targets in northern France and the institution of a series of blows against coastal defenses, mainly located in the Pas de Calais coastal area, to deceive the enemy as to the sector to be invaded.

The history contains the following about two missions on Friday, June 2.

Mission 384: In the morning, 521 of 633 B-17s and 284 of 293 B-24s hit V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 11 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is killed in action, 1 wounded in action and 1 missing in action.

Mission 385: In the afternoon, 242 B-17s are dispatched to railroad targets in the Paris area; 163 hit the primaries, 49 hit Conches Airfield, 12 hit Beaumont-sur-Oise Airfield and 1 hits Caen/Carpiquet Airfield; 77 B-24s are dispatched to Bretigny Airfield in France; 13 hit the primary target, 47 hit Creil Airfield and 14 hit Villeneuve Airfield; 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s are lost, 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 90 B-17s and 37 B-24s damaged; 1 airman is killed in action, 4 wounded in action and 68 missing in action.

According to the 489^th bomb group, crewmen for the mission on June 2 to Bretigny and Creil, France, were: 2^nd Lt. Peter H. Fiero, pilot;
2^nd Lt. James W. Houtchens, co-pilot; 1^st Lt. John D. Van Winkle, navigator; 1^st Lt. Jack P. Blanton, bombardier; SSgt. Anthony J. Wisinski, engineer; Sgt. Patrick J. Barbone, radio operator; Sgt. George E. Zaprala, gunner; Sgt. Everett E. Hensley, gunner; Sgt. Thomas N. Dodds, gunner; Sgt. Edward R. Kantner, gunner.

The aircraft was hit in the #3 engine which exploded and tore off the right wing. All aboard were lost.

He had been listed as missing in action since June. The telegram notifying his family that he had been killed in action came Jan. 12, 1945.

Sgt. Barbone was 1939 graduate of Belleville High School.

He was born Sept. 13, 1920, and enlisted in the Army, serial No.  32458130,  in August 1942.

Sgt. Barbone, a radioman-gunner on a B-24 Liberator,  undertook radio studies at Chicago and received his wings at Fort Myers, Fla.

He served with the 489 AA Bomb Group in the European Theatre of Operations.

The Barbone-Mosco Post #7 Italian American War Veterans was incorporated and established in Belleville.

He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Bloomfield, N.J.

Sources

Belleville Times, June 22, 1944; March 15, 1945

Eighth Air Force

489th Bomber Group

Second Edition - 489th Bomb Group History

Jim Woods 489^th Bombardment Group association

National World War II Memorial

Newark Evening News, July, 12, 1944

Remembrance - George Sbarra

Belleville Sons Honor Roll

  A Place of Honor and Remembrance In the Home of the Brave

World War II