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Personal info

Full name
MAGUIRE, Frank Miles
Date of birth
13 December 1919
Age
24
Place of birth
Alton, Madison County, Illinois
Hometown
Jefferson County, Kentucky

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