Francis James Truscott

Updated Jan 10, 2019 Jim, (Dad), was a WWII veteran. He was a radioman-gunner on a B-17 bomber out of England. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his service after completing over 35 missions into Poland, Germany and France. He was never injured during the war, but it left him with what we now call PTSD. Nobody understood it back then. It followed him thru out his life and had a great effect on himself and the lives of others. Veterans make great sacrifices for their country and Dad was no exception. He enlisted at 18 and joined the Army-Air Corp. He attained the rank of Technical Sargent. He loved baseball and music. He wrote several songs and had a magnificent voice. I learned to play guitar when I was 13 and Dad & I would sit together often and I would play Roger Miller or Glen Campbell songs for him while he sang. I lived with my dad and he often went to the taverns and sang to everyone. Dad worked with me learning to play baseball. I played in the little leagues and he was always there at my games. I played for the Giants and we sailed into last place, but he was always there to cheer me on. His PTSD caused him to be an alcoholic and a smoker. His life was taken too early due to these vices. I am now his age and can only wonder how he felt with Emphysema and living every day just to get that next breath. My sister & I miss him dearly and wish that for just one day we could spend it with him. Rest in peace Dad. We love you.