A Second World War veteran has died aged 102 while travelling to France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Robert "Al" Persichitti, from Rochester, New York, served in the US Navy and was involved in the Allied operation in Japan. he veteran flew overseas with the National World War II Museum Group.

After landing in Germany, the group were on a ship sailing down the coast to Normand when he had a medical emergency. He passed away on Friday 31 May. The local broadcaster said Mr Persichitti was a radioman on the command ship USS Eldorado, and served in the Pacific Theatre, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Guam during the Second World War.