Killed in Action (KIA), possibly in mid-air collision, 19 June 1944, near Avranches, St. Hilaire, and Murau. No MACR in Roll of Honor. Family seems to have possession of an MACR that was unavaiable to Adams and Andrews. The MACR on 17 June 44 shows a collision and crash near Rennes, but also says he evaded. P38 #4328456



Franck Grdenich’s P-38 crashed in « Aubusson » (Orne, France), June 19, 1944.

His mission was to destroy six airfields in the area of « Bordeaux-Mérignac ». The planes of the 479 Th fighter group must meet a group of B17 near « La Rochelle » to ensure their safety when return to Great-Britain.

But the fighters are confronted whith a thick cloud layer and they make the decision to turn back. The plane of the leader, Ward Kuentzel, went into a dive toward the ground and Franck Grdenich into its wake. A few secondes later, Ward Kuentzel crash himself at « Petit-Val », in Montilly (Orne, France), and Franck Grdenich in Aubusson (Orne, France). »

A commemorative tablet was erected in « Aubusson ».

In 2001, Franck Grdenich’s family found the crash place with the help of inhabitants of municipality and « normandie’s association of air memory ».

« Ouest-France » newspaper article, june 21, 2014.