416th Bombardment Group (L) Lucian James "Screws" Siracusa 1st Lt, Pilot, POW May 22, 1920 - October 7, 2021 668th Bombardment Squadron (L)

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1Lt. Lucian James ("Screws") Siracusa

Note, surname Siracusa is found more recently spelled as Siracuse

Lucian James Siracuse

Lucian James (Jim) Siracuse, 101, went to be with his wife, Mary, and his Lord Jesus Christ on October 7, 2021.

He was a resident of Mandeville, LA for 20 years and of New Orleans for 50 years before that. He was the oldest of six children of Vincent and Philomina Siracuse, growing up in New York City.

Jim was a WWII bomber pilot who flew 23 missions before being shot down and captured in May, 1944, six days before D-Day. He spent 400 days in German prison camps before being liberated by General George Patton's 3rd army near the war's end.

After returning to the United States, he met his wonderful wife of 53 years at Craig Field (Army base), in Selma, Alabama. They raised their family in New Orleans where he ran the Simcock advertising agency for over 50 years. Jim was introduced to the Christian faith by his wife Mary and he became zealous for the Lord. He was a deacon and taught Sunday school class for over 30 years at Gentilly Baptist Church. He and his wife got involved in various ministries to nursing homes, prisons, and to rehab students at the University of New Orleans.

He retired in 1999 to take care of his ailing wife. He is survived by his son James and daughter Karen, two grandchildren, Clay and Blair, and six great-grandchildren.

Jim's memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 16 at First Baptist Church of Mandeville located on Highway 190.

Online Obituary from "The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA, October 12, 2021 (PDF)