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Personal info

Full name
KOHAN, Frederick
Date of birth
23 May 1925
Age
19
Place of birth
Hamtramck, Wayne County, Michigan
Hometown
Goodrich, Genesee County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
36865526
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
359th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
20 March 1945
Place of death
Near Bad Segeberg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 18 19

Immediate family

Members
Yakim Kohan (father)
Tatina (Rudukovick) Kohan (mother)
Sawa Novik (stepfather)
Nick Kohan (brother)
Olga Kohan (sister)
Alex Kohan (brother)
John Kohan (brother)
Mary Kohan (sister)
Mike Kohan (brother)
Harry Kohan (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38767
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Hamburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the port
MACR: 13570

More information

Sgt Frederick Kohan attended Goodrich High School.

He enlisted in July 1943 and was sent overseas in January 1945.

The #2 engine was hit by shells from two German ME-262 jet fighters shortly after bombs away and immediately burst into flames. The oxygen and interphone systems were malfunctioning. The #2 engine was out and pieces of the nacelle fell off. The skin on the left horizontal stabilizer ripped off and ribs could be seen.

Five crew members were killed, three survived and were taken prisoner.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.fold3.com, WWII Draft Card, 1930 US Census

Photo source: Flint Journal - 20 April 1945