Tony Duca was born in 1909. His parents, James and Maria, immigrated from Italy to raise their family. They lived at 144 Washington Ave in Downingtown. Tony was the 3^rd of 9 children: Flavia (born in Italy), Joseph, Tony, Josephine, Edyth, Pete (who also served in the Army Air Force), Antoinette, Rose and Mary Jane.  Flavia was the mother of Dominic and James Marinelli, who are also among our honored heroes.

Tony attended Downingtown public schools. He became a member of his family church St. Joseph’s, and a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. Tony enjoyed hunting, baseball, playing cards, and. bowling. Tony was an outstanding amateur bowler winning numerous trophies. He volunteered as a driver for the Fire Department and Ambulance. He was known as a pleasant, easy going guy, and a jokester. Tony worked at Downingtown Manufacturing Company on Washington Ave and Green St.

With the nation at war, Tony felt compelled to serve his county, and enlisted in the Army Air Force on August 1942. He received training in the Oregon, Washington, and Florida, as a tail gunner in a B-17.

He was sent to England and then to Depienne, Tunisia serving with the 340^th Bomb Squadron, 97^th Bomb Group (H), 15^th Air Force. His squadron moved to San Giovanni (near Cerignola) in southern Italy in December 1942, but the airfield was not well suited for heavy bombers, and they moved to Amendola (near Foggia) in January. His plane was a B-17G, distinctive for it’s chin turret. They named the aircraft "Her Done It" with a painting of Betty Grable on the nose.

On February 14, 1944 his squadron flew a mission to bomb the railroad yards at Verona, in northern Italy. When they arrived at the target, they found the yards were obscured with cloud cover and had to abort the mission. Tony’s B-17 was attacked by 12 enemy aircraft, lost 2 engines and could not keep up with the formation. Tony’s guns jammed after the first plane attacked, and a second enemy fighter realizing this, closed in for the kill. Tony was mortally wounded as well as several other crewmembers. The pilot was able to half fly, but mostly glide out of enemy territory towards the Island of Corsica. He ditched the plane just off the coast at Calvi. Two other crewmembers died, the rest were rescued. Tony’s body was not recovered. The mission to Verona, was believed to be his final mission before furlough.

Tony's sister, Josephine, receiving Tony's posthumously awarded medals

The family received a telegram form the Department of Defense on March 11^th. Staff Sargent Tony Duca was awarded the Purple Heart, in addition to the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters.

A Solemn Requiem Mass was observed on Tuesday March 14 at St. Joseph’s church. A memorial marker was placed at St Joseph’s Cemetery.

Tony is remembered at the Tablets of the Missing in Action at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery at Nettuno, Italy.