Francis Joseph Mastronardi
MilitarySeparated 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
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11130671
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35258973 at enlistment, then O-688595
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14094211 / O-811775
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39125747
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Aircraft
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
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