Missing information?
Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?
Submit- Full
name
SMITH, Frank Allen - Date of
birth
23 December 1919 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa -
Hometown
Fonda, Pocahantas County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-802792 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
351st Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 March 1944 - Place of
death
Near Quackenbrück, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 18 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harrison Smith (father)
Mary D. Smith (mother)
Edward H. Smith (brother)
Patricia K. (Mullen) Smith (wife)
Terrence A. Smith (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-38044 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Spirit of 44
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Friedrichstrasse railway station
MACR: 3026
More information
1st Lt Frank A. Smith graduated from Dowling High School and attended Dowling College and Iowa State College. He received his wings at the Army Air School at Blytheville, Arkansas in April 1943.Statement of 2nd Lt Donald K. Kehm, bombardier:
"German fighters attacked in a group out of the sun from 12 o'clock high. We received numerous hits, fire was visible around no. 3 enigine. The plane immediately went into a tight spin. At about 3,000 feet the tail broke from the ship and passed over the nose of the ship. The plane then began to climb and I recall objects coming towards me. The ship must have exploded as next I awoke on the ground to see German soldiers approaching."
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, 100thBombGroup, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Michel Beckers, 100thBombGroup