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Pfc. Arthur "Art" McNally, 28, was killed in action on July 11th, 1943, while participating in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. During the night of July 10th, the paratroopers of the 504th departed from airfields in North Africa in 144 C-47 transport aircraft. They crossed the Mediterranean Sea and arrived on the Sicilian coast on schedule. Due to nearly continuous air raids being conducted day and night by the Luftwaffe, the U.S. and Royal Navy ships in the area were on edge. Additionally, they had not been properly forewarned of the jump. When the planes arrived overhead, Allied naval vessels, fearing another air raid, fired upon the formation. Immediately, all other naval vessels and shore troops joined in, downing friendly aircraft and forcing planeloads of paratroopers to exit far from their intended drop zones. By the time they ceased firing, 23 planes had been shot down and 37 were damaged. 148 Paratroopers were injured, and 81 were killed. Arthur McNally was one of those 81.
Born: September 5, 1914
Killed in Action: July 11, 1943
PFC Arthur "Art" McNally, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division was killed in action on July 11th, 1943, while participating in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily.
During the night of July 10th, the paratroopers of the 504th departed from airfields in North Africa in 144 C-47 transport aircraft. They crossed the Mediterranean Sea and arrived on the Sicilian coast on schedule. Due to nearly continuous air raids being conducted day and night by the Luftwaffe, the US and Royal Navy ships in the area were on edge. Additionally, they had not been properly forewarned of the jump. When the planes arrived overhead Allied naval vessels, fearing another air raid, fired upon the formation. Immediately, all other naval vessels and shore troops joined in, downing friendly aircraft and forcing planeloads of paratroopers to exit far from their intended drop zones. By the time they ceased firing, 23 planes had been shot down and 37 were damaged. 148 Paratroopers were injured, and 81 were killed. Arthur McNally was one of those 81.
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