96th birthday celebration for WWII tail gunner in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In September, Danny Francisco was able to fly in a a B-17, 75 years after his last flight, and now today, June 5, the community can honor and celebrate him on this 96th birthday.

Everyone is invited to "attend" his party by driving by with a cheer, a wave, an American flag, or any other birthday greeting. He will be at 2216 Dunlap Street in South Lake Tahoe from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the public can join in a drive-by celebration of this WWII vet. The home is located a block from South Tahoe refuse.

Francisco has lived in South Lake Tahoe over 40 years. He was still in high school when he enlisted to serve his country, and just days after graduation he was on his way to train. He flew 50 missions as a tail-gunner in a B-17 during the years of 1944-1945 at the age of 18 years old. His plane was called ‘The Silver Dollar’ and was based out of Foggia, Italy during the war.

When we first did a story on him in September, 2019, Phil Ward of South Lake Tahoe was delivering meals to local senior citizens when he met Danny and heard his story. Phil's son Eric created the a video (see below) which features an interview and the flight on the B-17,

In times like these, the world is in need of more heroes like Danny.