Francis Placid Scandell

SECOND LIEUTENANT Francis P. Scandell was born Francis P. Skedzielewski on January 3rd, 1921 in Philadelphia to Michael and Antonia Skedzielewski. He grew up in Camden NJ, where his parents lived at 1443 South 10th Street. He attended St, Joseph Parochial School, and Camden High School in Camden, and graduated from the Camden County Vocational School in Pennsauken NJ, where he was the valedictorian of the 1940 Class. He also singled himself out as a member of the Camden YMCA Debating Club. After High School he was employed as a draftsman by the ITE Circuit Breaker Company in Philadelphia PA.

After entering the service on December 9, 1942,  he entered the Army Air Forces, and after attending a pre-flight school at Ellington Field TX, he graduated from the Army Air Force Bombardier School at Concho Field, San Angelo TX in December of 1943, winning his wings and a commission as a Second Lieutenant, which the Camden Courier-Post reported on December 21, 1943. After San Angelo, he was sent to Colorado Springs CO where he underwent heavy bomber training. Assigned to a bomber crew, he flew the "southern route" to Italy in March of 1944. He was assigned to the 484th Bomber Group, with which he was serving when he was killed in action on May 10, 1944 on a raid over Austria.

Francis Scandell was survived by his parents, Michael and Antonia Skedzielewski of 1443 South 10th Street, Camden NJ, and three brothers, Edmund, who was serving in the U.S. Amy Signal Corps, Carl, who was with the infantry, and Michael Jr., then an air cadet at Concho Field, San Angelo TX. 

Francis Scandell was reported missing in action in the June 22, 1944 edition of the Camden Courier-Post.