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name
FRENCH, Warren Mckinley - Date of
birth
27 December 1919 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Kingston, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
New Haven County, Connecticut
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-712282 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
349th Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 September 1944 - Place of
death
Schwickershausen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 26 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William M. French (father)
Margaret (Jones) French (mother)
Jean L. French (sister)
Margaret French (sister)
Howard French (brother)
Virginia C. (Eberle) French (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6306 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna oil refinery
MACR: 9373
More information
2nd Lt Warren M. French was employed at American Wire and Steel Works in New Haven, Connecticut, when he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Hartford, Connecticut on 31 July 1942. He graduated from the navigation school at Selman Field, Monroe, Louisiana and from the gunnery school at Tundall Field, Florida. He also attended the Army's Bombardier school in San Angelo, Texas.He was married to Virginia Carter Eberle in April 1943.
This was his eight mission.
The aircraft was hit in the number 2 engine by flak. The engine caught fire, but was quickly put out when it pulled away from the formation. It then pulled under the Group but began to fall back when number 4 engine was also feathered. Later number 4 started again and it was thought to be that the airplane followed the formation during 28 to 30 minutes. Then it was seen to go down into the undercast with an escort of P-51's.
Lt French was killed in the plane.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, Footnote.com - MACR, 100thbg.com, www.newspapers.com - The Wilkes-Barre Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Family Tree / 1930 Census, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.newspapers.com - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader