Francis Joseph Mastronardi

Military

Separated from the formation but still bombed the target, an ME 109 Assembly plant in Frankfurt, Germany on 20 March 1944 in B-17G #42-38033 "Man O'War". Shot down by ME109's over Breuil, German-Occupied France. Crashed near Breuil, 20km NW of Reims, France.

Helped BTG Walter Rusch, wounded LWG Katsaros and RWG Crowley to bail out. I was last to leave plane. Saluted by German pilot, returned salute. Captured by 10 Gestapo in Unchair after landing. German medic extracted shrapnel from right side, gave tetanus shot. Was taken to prison in Reims, France at midnight. In solitary for 14 days prior to train box-car ride to Dulag Luft, near Frankfurt for interogation by 2 Captains and 1 Major. All had degrees from American Colleges in early 1930's. Then sent to Stalag 1, Barth, Germany. Released by Russian troops 15 months later. Prisoner of War (POW).

Connections

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Units served with

A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8258) of the 401st Bomb Group. Image by Robert Astrella. Written on slide casing: '48258 14 A, Mount Farm.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37231127
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34601869
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-745054
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33289777
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-690106
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Man OWar
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Vicksburg, Mississippi 26 September 1922

Other

Bailed out

20 March 1944 of B-17G #42-38033 "Man O'War", over Breuil, France

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

20 March 1944 captured in Unchair, 3km south of Breuil. Had wounds treated in hospital before being sent to the Reims Prison, then interned at Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany.

Revisions

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Added Awards

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ContributorED-BB
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MACR 3332

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ContributorAAM
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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3332, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces, http://www.401bg.org/Main/History/Members/Details.aspx?ID=619