Lt. Col. Francis Winn Doherty, USAF, ret., 88, formerly of The Inn at Robbins Brook, Acton, Mass., and his family home at Granite Point, Biddeford, died Aug. 30 at the St. Andre Health Care Facility in Biddeford.
A decorated veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, Lt. Col. Doherty was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross for “heroism or extraordinary achievement in an aerial flight,” the Air Medal, the Medal of Freedom during WWII as the navigator of the B-29 Bombers the “Rankless Reck” and “Jack’s Hack,” completing 26 missions throughout Southeast Asia, including the last mission of WWII on Aug. 14, 1945. He also flew in the Korean War, transporting supplies to Thule, Greenland and served in the Vietnam War, with the 619th Tactical Control Squadron in South Vietnam and Thailand, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and many other combat and achievement medals, honors and commendations.
Born in Somerville, he was one of six children of the late William Strachn and Marguerite L. (Winn) Doherty. He was raised in West Roxbury, Mass., graduated high school from BC High in 1940, and earned his bachelor’s degree at Boston College, class of 1944. In 1948 he married “his bride,” Maureen Elizabeth (Collins) Doherty, formerly of Malden, Mass., a 1947 graduate of Emmanuel College. Together they raised nine children while stationed in Massachusetts, Illinois, England, Mississippi and again in Massachusetts at Hanscom, AFB.
Lt. Col. Doherty began his military career in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII, as the navigator in the B-29 Superfortress, serving in the 58th Bomb Wing, 468th Bomb Group as the first units to take the B-29 into combat. He flew missions in the China, Burma, India (CBI) theater with the Air Offensive on Japan. His life was shaped by his combat experiences and he continued his military service for over 29 years through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring honorably from active duty in 1970. Thereafter, as a civil servant he continued his support of military efforts as the Program Manager for the FAA/USAF Instrument Landing System and Radar Replacement Program in Command, Control and Communications until 1988, retiring as the civilian liaison between the FAA and the USAF.
An Acton resident since 1962, where he and his wife raised their nine children and endured the tragic loss of a son, Kellen Damian in 1968, Frank enjoyed projects of all kinds, including woodworking, boat building and engine repair. He took great pride in being the patriarch of a large family, including 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and cherished the family gatherings at the “cottage” home built together with his children at Granite Point in Biddeford. He and his late wife and family took comfort in the sea and the shore. He proudly maintained active memberships in his WWII 58th Bomb Wing Association, and remained in contact with his “Jack’s Hack” crew; the Boston College Club; and the Catholic Alumnae Sodality of Boston.
He was predeceased by his brother, William S. Doherty, Jr. and sister, Mary Audrey Doherty.
He is survived by his children, Christopher C. Doherty and Jacquie Hickey of Newcastle, F. Gregory Doherty and wife Barbie of Alexandria, Va., Mairin E. (Doherty) Moulton and husband Christopher H. Moulton, of Carlisle, Mass., Jonathan D. Doherty and wife Leslie of Westford, Mass., Geoffrey C. Doherty and wife Susan of Boxboro, Mass., Anthony G. Doherty and wife Beth of Round Hill, Va., Marea A. Doherty and fiancé Thomas M. Benoit of Park City, Utah, Mary Roz (Doherty) Torcoletti and husband Paul J. Torcoletti of Park City, Utah; grandchildren, Jeremiah Adams, Ryan Doherty, Sean, Rory, and Maureen Moulton, Kaelyn, Bria and Carli Doherty, Adam and Charlotte Doherty, and Mark and Paul Doherty; great-grandchildren, Justin, Austin, Elizabeth, and Isabelle; sister, Sally L. (Doherty) Motherway; brothers, Dana G. Doherty, and Bernard J. Doherty; and by the following surviving B-29 Bomber “Jack’s Hack” crew members, Henry “Hank” Chodacki, Niel Eskildsen, and Jerome “Jerry” Sulak.
Visiting hours Sept. 4 at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Mass Ave. (Rt. 111), Acton. Funeral mass Sept. 5 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 89 Arlington St., Acton. Burial with full military honors followed in Woodlawn Cemetery, Concord Rd., Acton Center.
Those who wish may make a memorial contribution in Lt. Col. Doherty’s name to the 58th Bomb Wing Memorial at the New England Air Museum, 36 Perimeter Rd., Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, CT 06096 (860-623-3305).
An online guest book is available at Legacy.com.
For more information about the 58th Bomb Wing Memorial, please visit http://www.neam.org/
