Hero Square
FRANCIS E. JR. POWERS
Francis Edward Powers, Jr.
United States Air Force / United States Army
27 June, 1934 – 12 October, 1970
Francis Edwards Powers, Jr. was born on June 27, 1934 in East Boston. A resident of Charlestown, he was a veteran of both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Francis enlisted in the United States Air Force on May 28, 1952. He served in Korea as an Airman First Class. More than a decade and a half after returning home from duty, with the outbreak of the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving as the Captain of Company B, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division. On October 12, 1970, while fighting in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, Captain Powers found his company caught in heavy enemy fire. Disregarding his own safety, he led a five man team to rescue numerous wounded comrades, eventually being mortally wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade. For the heroism displayed award a Purple Heart.