Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
KRAJACIC, Frank George - Date of
birth
29 September 1919 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Washington, Washington County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Rea, Washington County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33268126 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer -
Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 August 1943 - Place of
death
Carthuizerpolder
Raamsdonksveer, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 7 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Anthony Krajacic (father)
Philomina (Stanfel) Krajacic (mother)
Tony Krajacic (brother)
Steve Krajacic (brother)
John Krajacic (brother)
Margaret Krajacic (sister)
Helen Krajacic (sister)
Stella A. Krajacic (sister)
Barbara H. Krajacic (sister)
Mike Krajacic (brother)
Julia Krajacic (sister)
Rose Krajacic (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-3192 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: G For George
Destination: Gilze-Rijen, The Netherlands
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 284
More information
T/Sgt Krajacic was a chauffeur.He enlisted in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on 27 May 1942.
The mission was to bomb the airfield of Gilze-Rijen with 38 B-17's from different bomber groups. Due to mist and the reflection of the sun, a first attempt to localise the target failed. The majority of the airplanes return to their home base but the 303rd Bomber Group turns and tries a second time, but now this group is behind the main formation without the much needed fighter protection. At that moment the group is attacked by a large group of FW-190's who shoot down several bombers.
This B-17 was shot down by enemy fighters halfway the target and the enemy coast between Oosterhout and Raamsdonkveer, Holland. A wing caught fire and the plane exploded. Seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner, four were killed.
The wreckage of the airplane was found in 1983.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, http://www.303rdbg.com/358shebeck.html, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / World War II Army Enlistment Records /Pennsylvania Veteran Compensation File, www.fold3.com - WWII Registration Card
Photo source: Ralph Peters, Michel Beckers