Frank R Thomas Jr
MilitaryImage via Frank Thomas.
Thomas has handwritten on the reverse: '453rd BG, 734th Sqdn, Ford. 69 missions completed s#295167. On # 70 when shot down, still on original engines.
John H Wilson M/Sgt- Crew Chief. Assigned crew: 2nd crew that he had been assigned to this plane "Whiteheads Tourists". 1st Lt. Kaylor C. Whitehead - Pilot, 1st Lt. Edward G. Herrman - Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt. Howard A. Middleton - Navigator, 2nd Lt. Charles A. Christburg - Bombardier, T/Sgt. Frank R. Thomas, Jr. - ROM, T/Sgt. Russell L. Harriman - Engineer, S/Sgt. George R. Roby - Nose Gunner, S/Sgt. Martin K. Boone - RW Gunner, S/Sgt. James B. Taylor - LW Gunner S/Sgt. Chaz Bubbo - T Gunner- Sincerly, Frank Thomas.' Roger Freeman Collection
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
INT Landed in Sweden on 11/21/44 in B-24 'Dollys Sister' #4129005. The target was Hamburg and No 4 engine gave trouble on the way out over the Channel; they managed to drop their bomb load but No 3 was also causing problems, so they ditched as much as possible and headed for Sweden. They slipped in under the radar at Malmo and were greeted by armed soldiers. That night they had a wonderful meal including the first fresh milk they had had since leaving the USA five months earlier. They were to remain in Sweden for eight months where they made many friends. He afterwards worked for the Madison County Farm Bureau for 31 years, was past secretary of the 2nd Air Division Assoc. and past Sec/Treas. of the 453rd Assoc.
Frank died August 19 2004
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Interned |
Sweden | 21 November 1944 |
Revisions
Brought in information from duplicate record. Source:
MACR 10406 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 10406; In Search of Peace, pg 252-253