William Freidkas
MilitarySeven Killed In Action (KIA) : Pilot John O. Broten; Navigator Roy C. Gehue; Bombardier Alfred C. Emert; Radio Operator William Freidkas; Top Turret Gunner Harry L. Sparks; Left Waist Gunner Jessie R. Ellis; Tail Gunner Michael J. Pranzetelli. - Photo : family of the sole survivor, Co-Pilot Edward Tappan,
MACR 6990
Research on the crew
William Freidkas enlisted in the Air Corps in March 1943. After his training as a Radio Operator, he was sent overseas and served in that function in the 801st Bomb Group/ 36th Bomb Squadron in England. Killed in the loss of B-24D '"Star Spangled Hell", #42-72873. Took off from Harrington at 23:13hrs on 4 July 1944 on a secret Carpetbagger mission of weapons and supplies delivery to the French Underground in the Loir-et-Cher area, France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 6990. After successful drop, shot down by ME110 over Orléans, France. A/c caught fire and crashed at 00:10hrs, 5 July, near Champgirault at Trancrainville (Eure and Loire). Co-Pilot Edward Tappan was the only survivor. William Freidkas and 6 other members of the 8-man crew were killed in the mid-air explosion and they are commemorated on a plaque on a wall at the entrance to the Trancrainville cemetery.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-1574610 and 32206722 on enlisting
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 801st Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 18098768
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 801st Bomb Group 850th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 14132120 and O-688180
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 801st Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron 850th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 14025966 and O-707382
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 801st Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 31331737
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Raggedy Ann II, Star Spangled Hell
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 36th Bomb Squadron 67th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
Missions
- Date: 4 July 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Bronx, New York | 9 July 1924 | |
Enlisted |
New York City, New York, United States | 11 March 1943 | |
Died |
near Trancrainville, Eure-et-Loir, France | 5 July 1944 | Killed In Action (KIA) in the crash of B-24 # 42-72873 |
Bronx County, New York, United States | |||
Buried |
Wellwood Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York, United States | Initially buried at the Les Aubrais cemetery in Orléans; reinterred at the temporary US Military Cemetery in Solers near Melun (Seine-et-Marne), France. His remains were repatriated to the United States. |
Revisions
MACR 6990
NARA WWII Enlistment records
www.801492.org
Research for Edward Tappan’s page at http://www.evasioncomete.org/ftappaned.html
801st BG Roster, http://www.801492.org/MainMenu.htm">http://www.801492.org/MainMenu.htm>; Losses of 8thAF, vol4. / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia