Frederick M Wilson
MilitaryAssociated person
Frederick Wilson was on board B-17E-BO AC# 41-9090 transitioning to England from the United States on 27 June 1942 when it had to ditch near an island in Narsarsuaq Fjord, near Narsaq, in 1500ft of water, 35 miles SW of Bluie West One, Greenland. Wilson and the rest of the 12-man crew left uninjured and were brought safely to England. On a mission to Bizerte, Tunisia on 18 December 1942, he survived the crash-landing of B-17 Serial 42-5715, shot down by German fighters over Tunisia. The Co-Pilot and three other crew members were killed. No Missing Air Crew Report for the loss of that Fortress. Frederick Wilson was awarded the DSC (Distinguished Service Cross) for helping fellow crewmembers on board that day. His citation reads : "Staff Sergeant Frederick M. Wilson, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy in action against enemy forces on 18 December 1942, in the North African Theater of Operations. Staff Sergeant Wilson's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces." The medal was pinned on his chest in January 1944 at Boeing Field, Salem, Oregon, by Lt Col. Norman Mott.
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34249492
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Aircraft
Revisions
“The Hour Has Come - The 97th Bomb Group in World War II”, pages 68-69
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th and 9th AF by Bishop and Hay p.15