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name
MAGUIRE, Frank Miles - Date of
birth
13 December 1919 -
Age
24 -
Place of birth
Alton, Madison County, Illinois -
Hometown
Jefferson County, Kentucky
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15113213 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
338th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 September 1944 - Place of
death
Near Reims, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 33 | 60 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Miles L. Maguire (father)
Forest C. Maguire (mother)
Joseph R. Maguire (brother)
Charles V. Maguire (brother)
Jack Maguire (brother)
John P. Maguire (brother)
Mai E. (Nilsson) Maguire (wife)
Michael Maguire (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-107208 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Why Not
Destination: Mainz, Germany
Mission: Bombing of an ammunition depot
MACR: 8810
More information
Sgt Frank M. Maguire graduated Catholic Central High School and was employed at the Quartermaster Office of Fort Knox before he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve at Bowman Field, Kentucky on 1 June 1942.Capt Frederick S. Danziger:
At interrogation Lt Jorgenson stated that one or more cylinders blew out in #2 engine, probably as a result of flak, the oil pressure dropped and he was unable to feather the prop. The same thing may have happened to #3 engine, as the pressure likewise started to drop without being able to feather. Prop wash knocked them down to about 22,000 feet and continued to lose altitude at the rate of 500 – 1000 feet per minute. Bombs were not released until then found a hole in the 10/10ths clouds, and they were jettisoned in a wood, 20 miles east of Reims, at 1128 hours, from 15,000 feet. Finally the pilot managed to feather #3 engine, but the A/C had reached 10,000 feet and crew was told to stand by. At 1133 hours, altitude of 9,000 feet, the crew was ordered to bail out five men did so at 1135 hours, and the six crew member bailed out 10 minutes later. The lightened A/C could almost hold this altitude so the remaining three crew members agreed to continue, and landed at Urly A/F, 7 miles south of Paris at 1220 hours. The three crew members returned to London by ATC, after leaving the B-17 at the A/F for extensive engine repairs.
After bailing out they had contacted the French, gone to Paris, and were flown to London by ATC. They reported the dead of T/Sgt Frank M. Maguire, as his chute failed to open. His remains were taken to the hospital by American soldiers.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Solers, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Coleman, www.newspapers.com – The Times - 15 October 1944
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy