Frank L Watkins
Military ROLL OF HONOURKilled in Action (KIA) on B-26 mission to Dieppe Port Area. Earlier 3 Engine failure on mission 5 September 1943 in B26 41-34693. Crash landed at Honington. Crew returned. .
DFC, AM w/ 6 Oak Leaf Cluster
Rest of the crew on the last mission: Maj. William J. Heather, pilot, 0-727724; Capt. Clark T. Dean, Bombardier, 0-663242; 1 Lt. Curtis E. "Buck" Wheat, Navigator, 0-731349; 1 Lt. Arthur J. Smyth, "Gee" navigator, 0-791865; S/sgt. Raymond D. Hamley, Engineer/gunner, 20213665; T/sgt. Richard G. Keefer, Radio/gunner, 13087561.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 323rd Bomb Group
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Died |
20 May 1944 | Watkins was listed on the MACR as the tail gunner on the Battlin Bitch on its last mission over the Dieppe Port area. They were evidently the lead plane in a box formation. There was heavy flak over the target and the left engine was damaged. One report stated that, after the bombing run, the engine was smoking, but the plane was under control, and heading for England. Another states that the ship turned back toward France and was then seen losing altitude and going into the Channel, near Dieppe, around 1930 (local). No wreckage was recovered, and the only body recovered was that of S/sgt. Hamley, when it washed ashore some time later. | |
Born |
Pennsylvania |
Revisions
Combat Chronology, WWII Memorial,Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey p. 266 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia