Frank R Thomas Jr

Military
The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95167) nicknamed "Never Mrs" of the 453rd Bomb Group. Image 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 - Navig media-380659.jpg FRE 1853 The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95167) nicknamed "Never Mrs" of the 453rd Bomb Group.
Image 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

Object Number - FRE 1853 - The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95167) nicknamed "Never Mrs" of the 453rd Bomb Group. Image via Frank Thomas. Thomas has...

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

Colonel Larry Thomas of the 453rd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Col Larry Thomas 453BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Dolly's Sister
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95167) nicknamed "Never Mrs" of the 453rd Bomb Group. Image 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 - Navig
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Interned

Sweden 21 November 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorHelen
Changes
Sources

453rd BG newsletter March 2005

Date
ContributorHelen
Changes
Sources

453rdBG newsletter March 2005

Date
ContributorHelen
Changes
Sources

453rd BG newsletter October 1996

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Brought in information from duplicate record. Source:
MACR 10406 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Frank R Thomas: Gallery (1 items)