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Elwood E. Fritz has reported to Goodfellow Field, army air forces pilot school near San Angelo, Tex. He is beginning his basic training.

Lt. Elwood E. Fritz will soon complete an intensive course in combat flying at the Alexandria army air field, Alexandria, La.

1st Lt Elwood E. Fritz was Co-Pilot to Lt Hamilton, flying the B-17G "Cannonball Too' of the 322nd BS. The target of the mission was Leuna Synthetics Oil Plant at Merseburg, Germany. The plane was attacked by FW190 planes, hit by 20 mm shells and the whole right wing was a mass of flames. 4 of the crewmen were killed in action, 5 were made prisoner of war. 1st Lt Fritz flew 30 missions before he was killed.

Mrs. Harriett Fritz was notified Friday by the War Department that her son, 1st Lt. Elwood Fritz, is missing over Germany.
Lt. Fritz who is a bomber pilot, entered the army air corps in March, 1943. Prior to entering service he received his education at Chenoa Community High School. His training as a pilot was taken at Sheppard Field, Tex.; Alexandria, Miss., and Kearney, Neb.

The Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leave Clusters were reached for extraordinary achievement as co-pilot of a B-17 on a number of combat bombardment missions and for exceptionally meritorious achievement in sustained bomber combat operations.