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name
FRANKLIN, James D - Date of
birth
21 October 1924 -
Age
18 - Place of
birth
Lamesa, Dawson County, Texas -
Hometown
Framington, San Juan County, New Mexico
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17091572 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
525th Bombardment Squadron,
379th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
25 June 1943 - Place of
death
Oldenburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 11 | 27 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas L. Franklin (father)
Edwin H. Franklin (brother)
Philip D. Franklin (brother)
Cecil B. Franklin (brother)
John H. Franklin (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-29864 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
MACR: 1759
More information
James Franklin was a boilermaker.He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Pueblo, Colorado on 5 September 1942.
The airplane was attacked by German fighters.
According to crew members who survived, the pilot attempted to get the airplane to crash land and save the wounded crew but it blew up in mid-air.
Two crew members were taken prisoner, eight men were killed.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Jac Engels