Frank J Janik

Military
media-38136.png UPL 38136 Frank J. Janik

Charlevoix County Herald, 1 December 1944

Object Number - UPL 38136 - Frank J. Janik

Radio Operator Frank Janik had been awarded the Air Medal for taking part in bombing raids over Berlin, Brunswick, and other war production centers in Germany and also over the Invasion coast and Nazi communication centers of France with the 704th Squadron of the 446th Bomb Group. He was on the 15 October 1944 mission to Cologne/Köln, Germany, on board B-24 41-29128 with the Glen Rowe crew. Hit by Flak on return from the raid, the badly damaged bomber crashed in an emergency landing attempt at the Saint-Trond airfield in Belgium. Frank was killed in the crash.

Connections

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Units served with

A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 704th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17063452 / O-769070
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 38387966
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 704th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19100929 / O-699774
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 704th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15327128 at enlistment, then O-xxxxxx
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Lady Luck
  • Unit: 446th Bomb Group 704th Bomb Squadron

Missions

The flak damaged nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 398th Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: '54600 AC- England- 1st lt Lawrence M De Lancey, Corvallis, Oregon, landed this B-17 safely after its nose was literally shot away by flak over Cologne, Germany. Please Credit: Official US Air Force Photo.' Printed caption on image: 'This B-17 landed safely after losing its nose to flak. US AAF Photo.' Handwritten caption on reverse: '43-38172 of 398th BG.'
  • Date: 15 October 1944

Places

Aerial photograph of Bungay (Flixton) airfield, looking south, the technical site- with T2 hangar- and control tower are to the right, where the main airfield gate is also situated, 16 October 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/930. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Flixton

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

5 June 1923 near East Jordan, Charlevoix County, Michigan, the son of Walter and Victoria Janek

Other

Killed In Action (KIA)

15 October 1944 in the crash of badly-damaged B-24 41-29128 at the Saint-Trond airfield, Belgium
Jordan Township, Antrim County, Michigan

Buried

Frank Janik rests at Plot H, Row 9, Grave 3

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Article about Frank Janik's death - Charlevoix County Herald, 1 December 1944 : http://jvdl.info/newspapers/CHARLEVOIX%20COUNTY%20HERALD%201902-05-23%2…

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

US Census 1930
Wayne County, Michigan WWII Casualties
ABMC website

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Combat Sup / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Frank J Janik: Gallery (1 items)