Memorial

More information

Frederick W. Fox was born March 29, 1909 in Newburgh, New York to parents; Francis (Frank) William Fox and Rose Fox of Newfoundland, Canada. His parents came to New York after the turn of the 20th century. With the United States entering the Second World War Frederick joined the U.S. Army and became part of the U.S Army Air Force, 409th Bomber Squadron, 93rd Bomber Group, serving as a Technical Sergeant.
His squadron was based at Hardwick, Norfolk, England and Sgt Fox was part of the ten-man crew for the large aircraft B-24 serving as T/Sgt Radio Operator. He and his crew set out on their final flight, a bombing mission to the city of Bremen in Germany, over the North Sea, when they were close to the German border their plane
was shot at by German planes. All crew members died when the plane, named “Queenie” went down into the North Sea.
It was November 13, 1943, the attacked aircraft was out of formation with the other planes flying. The pilot, Capt Ralph P Gewehr, realized his error and thought he turned back to rejoin the group of planes. At that time the B-24 was attacked by enemy aircraft. The #2 engine was on fire and the plane went into a cloud in a flat spin. One of the wings may have been gone. The other planes in the formation could not tell 100% the events due to poor visibility and weather conditions. A report was filed January 12, 1944 by Capt John J. Hinch after a complete investigation.
Frederick flew on that fateful B-24 booming mission in November when he could have easily been exempted due to his leg injury. Technical Sgt Frederick W. Fox was described as being 5' 6", with chestnut blond hair, and a trimmed mustache. His body was recovered along the west coast of the Isle of Amrum near Norddorf, Germany. Noted in the flight report was that his upper leg was splintered, showing he had gone on this bombing mission after already suffering an earlier injury. Located in his pockets were an eye glass case with broken glasses, his ID tag, currency and a signal whistle.
Frederick Fox, along with other crew members were buried first on the Island of Amrum at the Nebel Cemetery in Grave 53. After the war ended in Europe in April 1945, Sgt Fox and other servicemen were moved and buried at Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, Belgium. Frederick W. Fox was placed in Plot D, Row 11, and Grave 24.
Fox was truly brave and dedicated to the military goals of ending the war. He was part of a team, an important technical radio operator necessary for the operation of the flight and he saw to his duty first above his own personal condition. He (the family) was awarded the Purple Heart. He left behind his mother, two siblings, his wife and two young sons.