Jacob Wayne Fredericks

Military

Volunteered for USAAF 1941; 23-Jun-42 Assigned as Pilot of B-17F 41-24620 [PU-O] "Snap! Crackle! Pop!, 303BG/360BS with crew at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico with the rank of Captain. 15-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard B-17F 41-24620. Completed 25 missions & then promoted to Lt. Col. and Director Operations and Plans, 3d Air Division, under Maj. Gen. Curtis Lemay. Senior USAAF liaison officer, liberation of Monthausen concentration camp (Austria). Turned down promotion to full colonel and command of USAAF base to instead join the staff of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) in Germany (interviewed senior Luftwaffe officers) and then Japan (studied Japanese wartime aircraft production; visited Hiroshima 3 weeks after atomic bombing).

Engineer at Kellogg Cereal Company before and after the war. Recalled active duty Korean War; stationed at Pentagon (special weapons projects). Later Deputy Asst and Acting Asst Secr. of State for African Affairs, U.S. State Dept, in Kennedy and Johnson administrations (Superior Honor Award, Distinguished Honor Award). Later, senior officer at Ford Foundation and significant behind-the-scenes player in fostering downfall of Apartheid in South Africa and efforts to bring about peaceful transition to majority rule. Unmatched but discrete private connections to government, NGO, business, labor, and church communities across all spectra in South Africa for over 30 years. Awarded honorary Doctor of Laws for his work to undermine apartheid and facilitate majority rule in South Africa by the University of Cape Town. Knew Nelson Mandela, was one of first Americans to meet privately with Mandela after his release from Pollsmoor Prison in South Africa, and attended Mandela's inauguration as first black president of South Africa. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Ford Foundation President Franklin Thomas, and Theodore Sorenson (President Kennedy's de facto chief of staff) delivered the eulogies at Fredericks' memorial service at Bronxville Reformed Church in 2004.

In sum, war hero, statesman, humanitarian and a great American.

Mission Participation (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) See Biography events.

DFC, Air Medals w 4 clstrs, Legion of Merit; OBE; Croix de Guerre.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.

303rd Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Three B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 94th Bomb Group are attacked by a Nazi Fighter aircraft during a mission. Printed caption on reverse of print: 'A-62641 USAF: Nazi fighter plane attacking Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" during a bomb run over enemy installations somewhere in Europe, 10 September 1944. 100th[sic] Bomb Group, 3rd Bomb Division. U.S. Air Force Photo.'

3rd Bomb Division

  • Unit Hierarchy: Division
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Combat organisation

People

Curtis Emerson LeMay

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 3rd Air Division 305th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-17917
  • Highest Rank: General
  • Role/Job: Commanding General
An airman of the 303rd Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '6-9-43 C.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp].

Lewis E Lyle

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 2nd Bomb Group 303rd Bomb Group 351st Bomb Group 379th Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-364599
  • Highest Rank: General
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer
Major Eugene Allen Romig, an airman of the 303rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 9 Apr 1943.' [stamp] and '257539.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Holder of the D.F.C. and Air Medal, Major Eugene Allen Romig, aged 25, is now serving with the U.S. Army Air Force in Britain as a pilot. His home address is 910 Troy Place, N.W. Canton, Ohio, and in civil life he was a student. U 76. Not to be published before April 20, 1943.'

Eugene Allen Romig

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Combat Bomb Wing 303rd Bomb Group 351st Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 457th Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (351st Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-21856
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24559) nicknamed "Old Soljer" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed as censored 25 Jan 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17 "Old Soljer". 25 Jan 1943.' Printed caption attached: 'How The Boys Live And Work At Flying Fortress Station In England. Wide World Photo Shows:- Side view of Fortress. This one's been named "Old Soljer" by her crew, who have painted the name on the side of the fuselage, as shown here. WW/ALA. 26-1-43.' On reverse: Ministry of Information, As

41-24559

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ooold Soljer
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

41-24570

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Panhandle Dogie
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron

41-24620

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Snap! Crackle! Pop!
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

42-29570

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Big Time Operator II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 381st Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron 532nd Bomb Squadron

42-2967

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Shak Hak
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Wakarusa, Indiana 26 February 1917

Other

Assigned to Aircraft

Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA 23 June 1942 Assigned as Pilot of B-17F 41-24620 "Snap! Crackle! Pop!", 303BG/360BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Other

Arrived in UK

Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK 16 October 1942 Arrived at Molesworth, UK as Pilot aboard B-17F 41-24620 "Snap! Crackle! Pop!", 303BG/360BS

Other

Mission #1, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 41-24620, 303BG/360BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 17 November 1942 Served as Pilot aboard B-17F 41-24620 "Snap! Crackle! Pop!", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #2, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 41-24620, 303BG/360BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 18 November 1942 Served as Pilot aboard B-17F 41-24620 "Snap! Crackle! Pop!", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #3, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 41-24620, 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Rouen, France 12 December 1942 Served as Pilot aboard B-17F 41-24620 "Snap! Crackle! Pop!", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France, but mechanical failures forced him to abort the sortie. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #4, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 41-24620, 303BG/360BS

Lorient, France 30 December 1942 Served as Pilot aboard B-17F 41-24620 "Snap! Crackle! Pop!", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #5, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-2973, 303BG/360BS

Lille, France 13 January 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-2973 "Iza Vailable", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the Lille Fives Locomotive Works at Lille, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #6, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-2967, 303BG/360BS

Lorient, France 23 January 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-2967 "Shak Hak", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #7, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-2973, 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Hamm, Germany 14 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-2973 "Iza Vailable" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany, but severe weather forced Wing Command to recall all formations. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #8, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-2973, 303BG/360BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 16 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-2973 "Iza Vailable" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #9, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 26 February 1943 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the naval facilities and U-Boat pens at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #10, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-2973, 303BG/360BS

Brest, France 27 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-2973 "Iza Vailable" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the port area and U-Boat pens at Brest, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #11, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-2973, 303BG/360BS

Lorient, France 6 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-2973 "Iza Vailable" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #12, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-2973, 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Rennes, France 8 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-2973 "Iza Vailable" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rennes, France, but mechanical failure forced him to abort the sortie. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #13, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-2973, 303BG/360BS

Rouen, France 12 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-2973 "Iza Vailable" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Roeun, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #14, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-5483, 303BG/360BS

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 22 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-5483 "Red Ass" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the naval facilities and U-Boat pens at Wilhlemshaven, Germany. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #15, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-2973, 303BG/360BS

Rouen, France 28 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-2973 "Iza Vailable" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Roeun, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #16, CPT Jacob W. Fredericks, w/B-17F 42-29570, 303BG/360BS

Rotterdam, Netherlands 31 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-29570 "Big Time Operator II" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam, Holland. RTB OK.

Died

18 August 2004 Complete list of credited 303BG missions (per 303d BB website): 1(*) (17 Nov 1942), 2(*), 5*(FTO), 6(*)(AS), 8*, 10, 11, 13(FTO), 15(AS), 16, 17, 18, 20, 21 (AS), 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 (13 June 1943). Died Bronxville, New York. Survived by wife Anne Curtis Fredericks, daughter Maria Loring Fredericks, son William Curtis Fredericks, grand-daughter Charlotte Lindstrom Fredericks, grandson Thomas Curtis Fredericks

Revisions

Date28 Jun 2021 18:14:32
Contributorwfredericks
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

[email protected]

Date28 Jun 2021 18:04:34
Contributorwfredericks
ChangesChanges to person associations, unit associations and place associations
Sources

[email protected]

Date28 Jun 2021 18:03:16
Contributorwfredericks
ChangesChanges to highest rank
Sources

[email protected]

Date28 Jun 2021 18:02:57
Contributorwfredericks
ChangesChanges to nickname and awards
Sources

[email protected]

Date28 Jun 2021 18:02:57
Contributorwfredericks
ChangesChanges to nickname and awards
Sources

[email protected]

Date25 Jun 2021 22:36:02
Contributorwfredericks
ChangesChanges to biography and person associations
Sources

[email protected]

Date4 Mar 2016 18:06:53
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events and aircraft associations
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Mar-2016. Added Mission #16 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 31-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/027.pdf.

Date4 Mar 2016 17:57:49
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Mar-2016. Added Mission #15 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 28-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/026.pdf.

Date4 Mar 2016 17:55:17
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Mar-2016. Added Mission #14 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 22-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/025.pdf.

Date4 Mar 2016 17:48:43
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Mar-2016. Added Mission #13 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 12-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/022.pdf.

Date4 Mar 2016 17:46:34
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Mar-2016. Added Mission #12 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 8-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/021.pdf.

Date4 Mar 2016 17:44:06
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Mar-2016. Added Mission #11 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 6-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/020.pdf.

Date4 Mar 2016 17:41:37
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events and aircraft associations
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Mar-2016. Added Mission #10 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 27-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/018.pdf.

Date4 Mar 2016 17:37:12
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Mar-2016. Added Mission #9 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 26-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf.

Date4 Mar 2016 17:33:32
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to mission associations
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-Mar-2016. Made connections to Missions of 26-Feb-43, 27-feb-43, 5-Mar-43, 12-Mar-43, 22-Mar-43, 28-Mar-43 and 31-Mar-43 pere 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, 303BG Mission Reports fro dates listed: http://www.303rdbg.com/

Date24 Feb 2016 22:04:48
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events and mission associations
Sources

Lee Cunningham 24-Feb-2016. Added Mission #7 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 13-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/015.pdf. Added Mission #8 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 16-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/015.pdf.

Date24 Feb 2016 22:00:07
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events and mission associations
Sources

Lee Cunningham 24-Feb-2016. Added Mission #7 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 16-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/016.pdf

Date28 Jan 2016 00:07:59
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Jan-2016, Added Mission #6 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 23-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/011.pdf

Date28 Jan 2016 00:05:36
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Jan-2016, Added Mission #5 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 13-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/010.pdf

Date28 Jan 2016 00:02:13
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to aircraft associations and mission associations
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Jan-2016. Made connections to Aircraft 42-2973 & 42-2867 and missions 13-Jan-43 & 23-Jan-43, pere 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/

Date25 Jan 2016 19:37:04
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016, Added Mission #4 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 30-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/008.pdf

Date25 Jan 2016 19:34:38
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016, Added Mission #3 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 12-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/006.pdf

Date25 Jan 2016 19:31:52
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016, Added Mission #2 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 18-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/002.pdf

Date25 Jan 2016 19:30:24
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to biography and events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016, Added Mission #1 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian, Mission Report of 17-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf

Date25 Jan 2016 19:27:06
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016, Added Arrived in UK event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian; Jacob W. Fredericks crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-fredericks.html

Date25 Jan 2016 19:24:45
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016, Added Assigned to AIrcraft event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian; Jacob W. Fredericks crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-fredericks.html

Date25 Jan 2016 19:22:54
ContributorLee8thbuff
ChangesChanges to service number, biography, place associations, aircraft associations and mission associations
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016, Added Initial assignement and arrival in UK infor to Summary Biography; made connections to Place, Aircraft (through 3-Jan-43) and Missions (through 3-Jan-43) per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, HIstorian; Jacob W. Fredericks crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-fredericks.html

Date27 Sep 2014 18:13:58
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum Membership List, July 2000