Francis Xavier Harkins

Military

Francis Harkins served as a bombardier with the 390th Bomb Group. He was part of crew number 18. On 15 August 1943, he was shot down in B-17 #423306. Francis evaded capture with the help of many different French people. The names of the people known to have helped him are Robert F Beauvais, Rene and Odette LeMattre, Rosaline Witton, Jean Francois Nothomb, Joseph and Madeleine Balfe, Raoul Demagt, Georges Van Kemmel, Joseph and Josephine Larretche and Federico Armendariz Ugalde.



Awards; WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.

390th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Billy Clyde Lawrence

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18026239 / O-733667
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress of the 390th Bomb Group crashes near Dunkirk whilst flying with a mission with B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5914), 15 August 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '385BG.' Printed caption on reverse: '25620 USAF - Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" going down over area south of Dunkirk, occupied France. U.S. Air Force Photo.'

42-3306

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Phoenix
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Philadelphia, PA, USA 15 January 1921 Son of Danile J and Lucia G Harkins.

Enlisted

New York, NY, USA 21 January 1942

Other

Evaded (EVD)

France 15 August 1943 - 20 August 1943 Evaded (EVD) capture with assistance of French civilians.

Other

Shot down / baled out

59670 Bavinchove, France 15 August 1943 Assigned to 569th 390BG, 8AF USAAF. Shot down 15-Aug-43 in B-17F 42-3306 baled out successfully. Evaded (EVD). MACR 258. Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.

Died

New York, NY, USA 2 January 2001

Buried

Interred Arlington National Cemetery
Queens, NY, USA

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/page/83529506_francis_x%20harkins/details/
https://www.fold3.com/image/29419192
https://www.fold3.com/image/262772669?terms=Francis%20X%20Harkins
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=46975785

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Added the names of people known to have helped Francis Harkins to evade capture.
Source: http://aide-aviateurs-allies-ww2.fr/RechercheEvades

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Brought in information from duplicate record. Sources:
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 258 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / www.390thspace.com/missions.php?name=Harkins%2C+Francis+X

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 258; Washington Post, 5 January 2001