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Submit- Full
name
MAY, Frank Dean - Date of
birth
22 February 1921 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Durham, Durham County, North Carolina -
Hometown
Durham, Durham County, North Carolina
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
14109468 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
544th Bombardment Squadron,
384th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 April 1945 - Place of
death
Leipzig, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 31 | 23 |
Immediate family
-
Members
D.C. May (father)
Maude May (mother)
Julia May (sister)
Fred May (brother)
Ruth May (sister)
Michael D. May (brother)
Frank May (brother)
Valinda H. (Fleming) May (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38801 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Ruth
Destination: Leipzig, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the rail traffic center
MACR: 13851
More information
Sgt Frank D. May graduated from Durham High School and attended McCallie Military School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in 1942 and was sent overseas in March 1945.
Sgt May was on his first mission.
The airplane collided with B-17 #43-39164 just after they left the target area.
The tail was destroyed, and it had a hole in the right trailing edge of the wing. The pilot held control for a minute and then went into a steep dive.
Seven crew members were killed, and one was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.fold3.com, www.384thbombgroup.com, WWII Draft Card, The News and Observer - 25 July 1943, 1930 US Census
Photo source: www.findagrave.com