Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
CHANEY, Frank Gordon
Date of birth
7 June 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Hometown
Ringgold, Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Military service

Service number
33632510
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
366th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
1 January 1945
Place of death
Bödexen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 40 30

Immediate family

Members
George S. Chaney (father)
Maude E. (Hodges) Chaney (mother)
Cardwell Chaney (brother)
Evangeline Chaney (sister)
Willard H. Chaney (brother)
Gilmour J. Chaney (brother)
Jean C. Chaney (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
44-8264
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Braunkahle (BRABAG) oil refinery industry
MACR: 11355

More information

Frank Chaney graduated from Dan River High School and was was employed by the Virginia Tabacco Company.

He enlisted in Richmond, Virginia on 3 April 1943.

The airplane was attacked by enemy fighters but managed to stay in formation first but had to pull out later. Seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Three men were killed.

S/Sgt Chaney was seen by other crew members bailing out of the plane.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - Honeycutt Atkins Family Tree / 1930 Census / WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Jac Engels