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name
MACHEN, Frank Edward - Date of
birth
6 October 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa -
Hometown
Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
17111725 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
728th Bombardment Squadron,
452nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
31 December 1944 - Place of
death
On the highway to Lauenbrück
2 km west of Vahlde, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 27 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Frank E. Machen (father)
Ethel (Hogland) Machen (mother)
John Machen (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39972 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Our Buddy
Destination: Misburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refinery
MACR: 11233
More information
Frank Machen graduated from Franklin High School and attended college.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Des Moines, Iowa on 24 August 1942.
His parents were both immigrants from England.
The airplane was shot down by German fighters. Four crew members survived and were taken prisoner, five men were killed.
He was initially buried at the cemetery of Rotenburg, Germany.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.emolachance.com/42-39972.html, www.newspapers.com - Cedar Rapids Gazette, www.ancestry.com - WWII Bonus Case File
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - Cedar Rapids Gazette