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name
WATKINS, Frank Lyle - Date of
birth
1923 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-2045203 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
453rd Bombardment Squadron,
323rd Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
20 May 1944 - Place of
death
North Sea, off the coast of Dieppe, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Tablets of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Leon E. Watkins (father)
Edna A. Watkins (mother)
Elsie M. Watkins (sister)
Bruce L. Watkins (brother)
Eleanor R. Watkins (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-31950 -
Data
Type: B-26B
Nickname: Battlin Bitch
Destination: Dieppe, France
Mission: Bombing of the coastal defenses
MACR: 4966
More information
2nd Lt Frank L. Watkins graduated from Wellsboro High School in 1939.He was sent overseas in July 1943. He had completed 22 bomber missions over enemy territory.
The aircraft was last sighted over the target at approximately 1913 hours after it was severely damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire. No other observations were possible.
It most likely crashed into the North Sea off the coast of Dieppe, France.
All seven crew members were killed.
His brother, S/Sgt Bruce Watkins, was a clerk in the Air Corps and also stationed in England.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com,
www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census, The Wellsboro Agitator 15 March 1944
Photo source: Astrid van Erp, www.findagrave.com - Evening Breeze / Laura Phillips, Wellsboro High School 1939