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Personal info

Full name
TRILLING, Frank Henry
Date of birth
4 September 1917
Age
26
Place of birth
Waupun, Winnebago County, Wisconsin
Hometown
Waupun, Dodge County, Wisconsin

Military service

Service number
16116627
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
331st Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
6 August 1944
Place of death
Approximately 54°14'N - 07°25'E
North of Norderney Island, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Frank A. Trilling (father)
Florence A. Trilling (mother)
Marjorie F. (Hoard) Trilling (wife)
Margaret T. Trilling (daughter)

Plane data

Serial number
42-107185
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany
MACR: 8075

More information

S/Sgt Frank H. Trilling enlisted in Milwaukee, Wisconsinon 15 September 1942.

Aircraft #42-107185 was hit by flak in the target area (Berlin). Left formation in vicinity of target and continued to follow formation until about 31 miles on course after departing the enemy coast. At approximately 54°14'N - 07°25'E at 1352 hours the aircraft was seen to ditch. Observations just prior to ditching indicated that three (3) engines were out. As this aircraft had lagged behind the formation from the target area out, it was too far behind to accurately observe whether ditching was carried out safely.

Eventually all of the crewmembers beside Staff Sergeant Frank H. Trilling survived the ditch in the North Sea just North of the Island of Norderney and were captured by German Sea Patrol.

S/Sgt Frank Henry Trilling had his parachute on, against strict ditching regulations, and most likely this has been the cause of him drowning, while the others could not reach him because the aircraft that was broken in half blocked the way between Staff Sergeant Trilling and the other crewmembers.

Along side his parents, he is remembered at Oak Hill Cemetery in Neenah, Wisconsin.

Source of information: Mary Thelen Plat, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Family Trees, www.fold3.com - MACR, 1st Lt Claud L. Thomas Jr., Individual Casualty Questionnaires, http://www.8thafhs.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Fred Munckhof, www.ancestry.com - University of Wisconsin Yearbook 1939