Second Lieutenant Anthony J. de Stefano of New York, U.S.A. died in Northern Ireland when B-26B Marauder #41-18072 crashed close to Toome Airfield, Co. Antrim.
Second Lieutenant
O-762712
Second Lieutenant Anthony J. de Stefano (O-762712) served in 3rd Combat Crew Replacement Center, 8th United States Army Air Force during the Second World War. Born on 18th September 1920, he was the son of Patricia K. de Stefano of Freedonia, Chautauqua County, New York, U.S.A.
In civilian life, Anthony lived in Erie County, New York, U.S.A. He enlisted on 30th August 1942 at Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. and was based at Toome Airfield, Co. Antrim from June 1944 – July 1944. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
De Stefano died on American Independence Day, 4th July 1944 while serving as a navigator/bombardier on B-26B #41-18072. The plane crashed tail first in a peat bog on high ground in Co. Antrim while on a short navigational flight from Toome Airfield.
Burial first took place at Lisnabreeny American Military Cemetery, Belfast on 5th July 1944. After the war, De Stefano was repatriated to St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Farel Road, Fredonia, Chautauqua County, New York, U.S.A.