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Meyers, Francis Joseph, Jr

Individual Personnel Data
Name Meyers, Francis Joseph, Jr   
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-731085    
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per 547th Bomb Squadron Unit History, effective 27 January 1943.
Duty Bombardier
MOS1035 - Bombardier
Last Duty Date 25 June 1943
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
Additional Information
  • Graduated from Bombardier School at Kirtland AAF, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Class #42-13, 26 September 1943.
  • Promoted to First Lieutenant on 20 March 1943 per 547th Bomb Squadron Unit History.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 16357 (1.629 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
547th BOMB SQUADRON MODEL CREW
The first combat crew assigned to the squadron.
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
1st Lt. Smith, James WilliamPilotPOW
2nd Lt. Keck, George BCo-pilotKIA
2nd Lt. Taber, Robin EverettNavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Meyers, Francis Joseph, JrBombardierPOW
S/SGT. Reichwein, John JosephRadio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Buckley, Robert HEngineer / Top Turret GunnerKIA
SGT. Jones, Lynn TiltonBall Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Igou, William Fredrick, "Bill"Tail GunnerPOW
SGT. MacArthur, Stanley WilliamFlexible GunnerPOW
PFC. Pratt, David AllanFlexible GunnerPOW

Crew History

The James W Smith Crew was the first one to be assigned to the 547th BS of the 384th BG at Wendover - becoming its "Model Crew" and "Crew 71" (crew #1 of the 547th) - on 27 January 1943, joining Pratt who had arrived the day prior.

Co-pilot Keck was later given his own crew, #77, and was replaced by Robert B Kilmer, Jr., a pilot who had arrived with a new crew on 11 March 1943.

The Smith Crew, less Kilmer, Taber, and Igou, were shot down on its second mission, and Buckley was KIA. All the remainder were POW - which later was the fate of the remaining member of the crew who did not fly that mission.

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 2 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
1 22 June 1943 Target: General Motors Truck Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Bombardier 42‑5850 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report
2 25 June 1943 Target: Industrial Area & Submarine Pens
Type: Military
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Bombardier 42‑5850 Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Group lead. Bombed primary on wing lead. Lost altitude near coast of England, one engine out and another smoking; cr Smallbroek, The Netherlands. MACR 16357 Maj. Selden Longley McMillin was awarded the Silver Star for this action (Owens p. 197).
Sortie Report

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