Franklin D Abbott Jr

Military
1 LT Franklin D Abbott, Jr UPL 63986 UPL 63986 1 LT Franklin D Abbott, Jr

Object Number - UPL 63986 - 1 LT Franklin D Abbott, Jr

The Abbott Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as Crew 1634 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas. Their crew remained intact with no personnel changes. They were assigned to the 856th BS, designated as Crew 609.

In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Their ground Crew Chief S/Sgt McCready flew with them, thus bumping Sgt Lague onto the Queen Elizabeth.

Lt Abbott flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 609 for a total of 15 missions. 

On 20 Jun 44, the Abbott Crew were among the victims of the ill-fated mission sent to bomb the well defended oil refinery at Politz. They were shot down over the Baltic Sea by rocket firing Me-410s and JU-88s. There were no survivors of the 10-man crew. Only one body was recovered for burial. 

Promoted 1st Lt.  KIA, 20 Jun 44.  MACR 7075

Cambridge, Wall of the Missing

Connections

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Units served with

A Swedish Soldier guards a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40159) nicknamed "Boulder Buff" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11111884
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-703343
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Lady Will
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Kalamazoo, Michigan 30 January 1918

Enlisted

Fort Custer, Michigan 14 January 1942

Other

Killed in Action

Baltic Sea 20 June 1944

Buried

Name on the Tablets of the Missing

Listed on the Tablets of the Missing.

Revisions

Date
Contributormurphykj
Changes
Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.

Date
ContributorAndycole0
Changes
Sources

National Archives and Records Administration

Date
ContributorAndycole0
Changes
Sources

American Battle Monument's Commission, www.abmc.gov
National Archives and Records Administration.
Find a Grave.

Date
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from :
MACR 7075 ;
Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 7075

Franklin D Abbott: Gallery (1 items)