PFC Francis L. Cunningham

22/12/2018

Today we remember Francis.
Rest in peace hero!

05/10/2018

Finaly found the area where Francis got KIA. Area around grand-Sart where A company 325th was in dec 44.

30/09/2018

Here are 2 pictures of the monument in Cranston to honor the soldiers of Cranston who died in ww2. Francis his name is on the monument.

13/09/2018

A few years ago I placed a stone at the wall of remembrance at Dead man’s corner museum in St-come-du-mont Normandy to honor Francis. I will visit the museum once again next year during the 75th anniversary of D-day.

08/09/2018

Raf Dyckmans thanks for the information about Grand Sart! ;-)

08/09/2018

Heading on the 6th till the 8th of october for a tour around the Ardennes and final destignation Bastogne. I will visit the grave of Francis and heading to Grand-Sart were he was killed in december 1944 to be there and just to remember him there!

08/09/2018

just found another interesting text of where Francis was killed. He was killed near Grand-Sart Belgium Ardennes near Baraque Fraiture.
Belgium – December 1944 – Battle of the Bulge :

December 16th, 1944, Germans launched an offensive by the Belgian Ardennes surprising the Allies.
Two days later, the 82nd was sent to Werbomont to block the German advance.
On 18 December 44, the 325th arrived near Bastogne. But it re-embarkation in trailers and trucks to be taken to Werbomont. It reached the city early on the morning of 19 December.
The 82nd has generally faced with great difficulty, taking positions along the north edge of the salient.
Between December 20 and 22, men have made the shuttle in truck between Grand Sart and Fraiture. The 1st Battalion was headed to Grand Sart with a tank's unit.
On 23 December, the Germans took the town of Regne. The 325th GIR against attack and recaptured the town until it was ordered to withdraw at 2:00 am on Christmas Day. On Christmas Day, the 1st battalion moved in Vaux Chavanne. C Company was placed as rear guard troops and to cover the retirement. They have not folded prior to the destruction of the bridge. At first light of day, the 325th had established a new line. The 1st Battalion pushed panzer attack on 26 December. During this action, they were captured regimental commander of the 2nd SS Panzer Division had orders on him for several days.

These documents, high value, proving that the Germans are taking Werbomont. Thus the intersection of Fraiture became increasingly important. Colonel Billingslea of the 325th GIR, extended his right flank was to include crossroads. He sent the company F under the command of Captain Woodruff. His company was rejected by the 2nd SS Panzer Division.
A new year, the 1st Battalion was relieved by the 7th Armored Division. To forme a new line of defense with men of 504th PIR. As of 1st January, 1st Battalion organized an attack to use against the land lost before Christmas. With tanks, between 4 and 6 January, the 1st Battalion taken La Chapelle and pushed Abrefontaine. He continued towards the village of Menil, Brux and Gerne Champs.
The men were relieved by the 75th Infantry Division. The 325th was sent almost Pepinster for a period of rest. On 26 January, the men embarked in trucks to the village and Vielsam and Born. On 28 January, the men moved, struggling in deep snow toward the German border to Wereth.

credits http://usairborne.be/82/82_325_txt_us.htm

21/08/2018

Great news!
Finally found connection from the USA!
A few weeks ago I got a messenger message from The dougther of Francis his wife. His wife got remaried after Francis got killed in the area of Bastogne.
It’s amazing after researching for a long time that I finally got response. Today I received some pictures of him before he was send to England. Also now I found out that he fought in France, Holland, Germany and Belgium!!
How great is this.
Manny thanks to Patricia Ives Silcox Greene for contacting me and sending me these pictures an newspaper articles! This mezns a lot to me!! 🇧🇪🇺🇸

27/05/2015

A few years ago I adopted the grave of PFC Francis L. Cunningham at the American Cemetery Henri-Chapelle in the Ardennes Belgium.

I have done some research about Francis on the internet (ancestry, Fold 3, received his IDPF file from the US Army,...) and found some information about him. Few years back I have send around 100 letters to al people who live in Cranston, Providence, Rhode Island with the name Cunningham but had no succes.

The following info i have found true my research:

Information about Francis L Cunningham

FRANCIS L CUNNINGHAM

Service #: 31182715

Rank: Private First Class

Company A, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment
82nd Airborne Division

Born: 1920-07-19

Died: 1944-12-22

Entered service from Rhode Island at 1942-10-14

Buried at Henri-Chapelle – Belgium

He received a purple heart with oak leave cluster

Lived in Cranston – Providence – Rhode Island

Wife: Anna Cunningham (Vitskieviter?)
Lived in 1945 at:
93 Goddard Street
Providence, Rhode Island

Mother: Helen V. Cunningham
Lived in 1945 at:
62 Hillwood Street
Arlington 9 (Cranston),
Rhode Island
Died in 1994 at the age of 95
Lived in 1994 at:
Smithfield, Rhode Island

Brother: Henry Cunningham

Grandparents: James H. Cunningham
Catherine A. (O’Donnel) Gill

2 nieces: Karen Harvey
Lived in Glocester

Elaine Marinaro
Lived in Providence

1 cousin: Fred W. Henry
Lived in 1945 at:
62 Hillwood street
Cranston, Rhode Island

1 sister-in-law: Lt. Helen Vitskieviter
Lived in 1945 at:
US Naval Hospital
Newport, Rhode Island

With this page I hope to find someone who knew Francis, was family or know someone who is family or can help me with my research about him.

So if you can help me please feel free to contact me via mail [email protected] or respond on this page.

Regards

Joris Appels

27/05/2015