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name
FRANZEN, George Warner - Date of
birth
26 November 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York -
Hometown
Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
T-123210 -
Rank
Flight Officer -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
427th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 April 1944 - Place of
death
Near Hannover, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 21 | 14 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Carl Franzen (father)
Jennie Franzen (mother)
Marvin Franzen (brother)
Carol Franzen (sister)
Gaylord Franzen (brother)
Clarence Franzen (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-3158 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Max
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 4471
More information
George W Franzen enlisted in Buffalo, New York on 19 October 1942.The airplane was hit by flak between the # 3 and #4 engines on the trailing edge and was smoking. It then straggled from the formation in the target area and was attacked by German fighters. It was seen to explode in the air.
Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Eight men were killed.
According to the Missing Air Crew Report, George Franzen bailed out of the plane but when he hit the ground, he was beaten to death by civilians.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, WWIIMemorial.com, NARA, 303rdbg.com, Footnote.com and Missing Air Crew Report
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Davidson College Bulletin, Arie-Jan van Hees - Pilot 43-J Pampa AAF page 51