Frederick M Wilson
Military![Sergeant Fredrick Wilson, a tail gunner of the 97th Bomb Group, in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: Passed for publication 25 Jul 1942' [crossed out stamp], 'Not to be published 25 Jul 1942.' [stamp], 'Reveiwed and passed for publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp],'AIR(BOEING)' [written annotation], 'Associated Press.' [stamp] and '212087.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN FLYING FORTRESSES WAIT FOR ZERO HOUR Associated Press photo shows: Hardly visible as he](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/freeman/media-379312.jpg)
Associated person
Object Number - FRE 876 - Sergeant Fredrick Wilson, a tail gunner of the 97th Bomb Group, in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: Passed for...
Frederick Wilson was on board B-17E-BO AC# 41-9090 transitioning to England from the United States on 27 June 1942 when it had to ditch near an island in Narsarsuaq Fjord, near Narsaq, in 1500ft of water, 35 miles SW of Bluie West One, Greenland. Wilson and the rest of the 12-man crew left uninjured and were brought safely to England. On a mission to Bizerte, Tunisia on 18 December 1942, he survived the crash-landing of B-17 Serial 42-5715, shot down by German fighters over Tunisia. The Co-Pilot and three other crew members were killed. No Missing Air Crew Report for the loss of that Fortress. Frederick Wilson was awarded the DSC (Distinguished Service Cross) for helping fellow crewmembers on board that day. His citation reads : "Staff Sergeant Frederick M. Wilson, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in action against enemy forces on 18 December 1942, in the North African Theater of Operations. Staff Sergeant Wilson's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces." The medal was pinned on his chest in January 1944 at Boeing Field, Salem, Oregon, by Lt Col. Norman Mott.
Connections
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Units served with
![A formation of Flying Fortresses on their way to attack targets near the Anzio beachhead. Nearest the camera is a 342nd Bomb Squadron, 97th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30056) that was declared Missing In Action on the 2nd of July 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '230056, MIA 2/7/44, 342BS, 97BG.' Printed caption on reverse: 'PNA. IA 18239. Forts Bound For Anzio. A flight of Flying Fortresses, carrying fragmentation bombs, gather in formation for a flight to the Anzio beachhead,](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-457803.jpg?itok=coB24-Wt)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- 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/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-379318.jpg?itok=apGbR7Ih)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-41036.jpeg?itok=rCHpbjFu)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16004238 at enlistment, then O-724118
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-41036.jpeg?itok=rCHpbjFu)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14052214
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: waist gunner
Revisions
“The Hour Has Come - The 97th Bomb Group in World War II”, pages 68-69
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th and 9th AF by Bishop and Hay p.15