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name
GERLACH, Frank James - Date of
birth
25 September 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Union City, Hudson County, New Jersey -
Hometown
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11073255 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
349th Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 July 1944 - Place of
death
Punschrau near Kossen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 13 | 1 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frank Gerlach (father)
Emma Gerlach (mother)
Catherine Gerlach (sister)
Wilma Gerlach (sister)
Ruth Gerlach (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-37655 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna oil refinery
MACR: 7812
More information
S/Sgt Frank Gerlach was a stenographer and typist before he joined the Air Corps of the US Army Reserve in Hartford, Connecticut on 1 August 1942.The airplane was attacked by enemy fighters.
Five crew members were killed, four were taken prisoner.
The killed crew members were initially buried at the cemetery of Hassenhausen, Naumburg.
Later evidence indicates some or all the dead may have been killed by German civilians.
This was his first mission.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans,Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, NARA, Footnote.com, 100thbg.com, Missing Air Crew, www.ancestry.com - United States World War II Army Enlistment Records / 1930 census
Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.findagrave.com - Usafdo, http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/67978