Frank Alton Armstrong Jr
Military![Colonel Frank A. Armstrong of the 97th Bomb Group in the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Photographed by US Army Air Air Forces.' [caption], 'US Official Phot No. USB 230. (WA) Distributed by the Ministry of Information.' [caption] 'USAA(BRI)CCC:TYPE.' [written annotation] Printed caption on reverse: 'LEADER OF THE US BOMBING ATTACK ON WILHELMSHAVEN. Photo shows:- Col. Frank A. Armstrong of Asheville N.C. who led the bombing attack on Wilhelmshaven- the first American air a](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-379326.jpg.webp?itok=qZ2quVIQ)
Associated Colonel Frank A. Armstrong from image caption
Object Number - FRE 890 - Colonel Frank A. Armstrong of the 97th Bomb Group in the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Photographed by US Army Air...
Commanded 97th BG from 31 July 1942 to 27 September 1942.
Commanded 306th BG 4 January 1943 to 17 February 1943.
Commanded 101st (Provisional) Combat Wing 8 February 1943 to 14 June 1943.
Commanded 1st Bomb Division 15 June 1943 to 31 July 1943.
Generally believed to be the primary inspriation for the character of 'Brigadier General Frank Savage' in Beirne Lay's book Twelve O'Clock High.
He commanded the first raid to Germany, bombing Wilhelmshaven 27 Jan 1943. Assigned to to 8th HQ on 17 Feb 1943.
AM w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, DFC, DSC, DSM w/1 OLC, SS, British DFC,
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Division
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379318.jpg.webp?itok=n7iztoxa)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![Personnel of the 97th Bomb Group look out for the return of B-17 Flying Fortresses from a raid on Rouen, from the top of the Control Tower at Grafton Underwood.
Image stamped on reverse: 'Photo Supplied Photopress Central.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'USA (BRI) CCC.' [written annotation] and '216036.' [Censor no.]
Printed caption on reverse: 'Picture shows: Aerodrome Personnel on the Control Tower watching for the return of the planes from the raid.' Handwritten captio](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379323.jpg.webp?itok=yT71Hmaq)
- Unit Hierarchy: Command
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: VIII Bomber Command Headquarters (Eighth Air Force)
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Chief of Supply
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 4th Combat Bomb Wing 487th Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-319375
- Highest Rank: Brigadier General
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer; Air Leader, Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Headquarters (Eighth Air Force)
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Tactician
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Headquarters Squadron (VIII Bomber Command) Headquarters (Eighth Air Force) United States Army Forces in the British Isles
- Service Numbers: O-7478
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
- Role/Job: Commanding General, 8th Air Force
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Butcher Shop/ Big Tin Bird
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron 340th Bomb Squadron 77th Fighter Squadron
Missions
- Date: 17 August 1942
- Official Description:
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Hamilton, NC, USA | 24 May 1902 | |
|
Other Commissioned |
28 February 1929 | ||
|
Other Arrived in UK |
Hendon | 20 February 1942 | Arrived in the UK with General Eaker |
|
Died |
20 August 1969 |
Revisions
Added a connection to the first 8th AF mission.
BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY OF THE 8TH AIR FORCE 1942-1945, Russell Strong
Data Update, National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 15 September 2014
1st Air Division records (1AD HQ Historical Society)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_A._Armstrong
1st Air Division records (1AD HQ Historical Society)
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / R. Manning Ancell, The Biographical Dictionary Of World War II Generals And Flag OfficersRoger A. Freeman, The Mighty Eighth, First Over Germany pgs. 62,64-66, 71, 80, 83, 112, 139, 280 & 322, / http://www.306bg.org/crewphotos/Crew%20Pictures%20Adam-Rector/Crew%20Pi…
![Colonel Frank A. Armstrong of the 97th Bomb Group in the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Photographed by US Army Air Air Forces.' [caption], 'US Official Phot No. USB 230. (WA) Distributed by the Ministry of Information.' [caption] 'USAA(BRI)CCC:TYPE.' [written annotation] Printed caption on reverse: 'LEADER OF THE US BOMBING ATTACK ON WILHELMSHAVEN. Photo shows:- Col. Frank A. Armstrong of Asheville N.C. who led the bombing attack on Wilhelmshaven- the first American air a](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379326.jpg.webp?itok=PgnVoxm0)
