Matthews, Franklin Waller

Individual Personnel Data
Name Matthews, Franklin Waller   ‡
⇗
Rank Sergeant / Staff Sergeant
Serial Number 13116954   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #155 dated 2 August 1944, effective 2 August 1944.
Duty Flexible Gunner
MOS611 - Aerial Gunner
Last Duty Date 22 January 1945
Results Completed Combat Tour
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 15 March 1921
  • Promoted to Staff Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #185 dated 19 September 1944.
  • Reclassified from MOS 611 to MOS 612 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #217 dated 4 November 1944.
  • Ordered on seven days Temporary Duty to Ebrington Manor, AAF Station 498 (a Flak House) on 23 November 1944 to carry out the instructions of the Commanding General per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #231 dated 22 November 1944.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Rowe, George B⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Bakkom, Clifford Norris⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Gullekson, Leslie Curtis⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. McDaniel, Oscar Kenneth⇗BombardierCT
SGT. Powell, Leslie Clifford⇗Radio Operator / GunnerTR
S/SGT. Hill, John R⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Hammack, William Glenn⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Chernitsky, Thomas William⇗Tail GunnerCT
SGT. Boyd, Lester Ross⇗Flexible GunnerCT
SGT. Matthews, Franklin WallerFlexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 35 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
182⇗ 18 August 1944 Target: Tactical: Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Vise, Belgium 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37788⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report⇗
183⇗ 24 August 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97263⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
185⇗ 26 August 1944 Target: Buer Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Tail Gunner 43‑37703⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High section deputy, lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
187⇗ 3 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑38208⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
188⇗ 5 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑6135⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
192⇗ 11 September 1944 Target: Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Lützkendorf & Merseburg, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑97263⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group. Flat tire on landing.
Sortie Report⇗
194⇗ 13 September 1944 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑38208⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
195⇗ 17 September 1944 Target: Tank and Gun Concentrations, Tactical
Type: Military
Location: Eindhoven & 's‑Hertogenbosch (den Bosch), The Netherlands 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
A Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
196⇗ 19 September 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑37990⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
197⇗ 21 September 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Mainz, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑37990⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
199⇗ 26 September 1944 Target: Steelworks
Type: Industry
Location: Osnabrück, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97960⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
201⇗ 28 September 1944 Target: Steelworks
Type: Industry
Location: Magdeburg, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑6105⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
205⇗ 5 October 1944 Type: Industry
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38262⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
206⇗ 6 October 1944 Target: M/T Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Stettin / Szczecin, Poland 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97263⇗ Combat Mission Credit
D group.
Sortie Report⇗
208⇗ 9 October 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38262⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
209⇗ 11 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Wesseling, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31484⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 43‑38542. First Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
214⇗ 19 October 1944 Target: Heinrich Lanz Tank Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑102449⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy. Gee-H ship. Took over at IP and led Squadron on bomb run.
Sortie Report⇗
219⇗ 4 November 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bottrop (Welheim), Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑8211⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Gee-H ship; high Squadron deputy. Took lead for 1st bomb run - Gee-H equipment failed.
Sortie Report⇗
220⇗ 5 November 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37788⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
223⇗ 9 November 1944 Target: Ground Installations
Type: Military
Location: Ouvrages de Sorbey (Metz), France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97960⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
224⇗ 10 November 1944 Target: Ostheim Airfield & Butzweilerhof Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38542⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41C Group, High Squadron. Landed away on continent due to low fuel.
Sortie Report⇗
226⇗ 16 November 1944 Target: Tactical - Artillery Positions
Type: Military
Location: Eschweiler, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38542⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron deputy, 41st Bomb Wing D group. Landed away at Tilstock, due to weather.
Sortie Report⇗
227⇗ 20 November 1944 Target: Buer Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑6514⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Composite Squadron 41st Bomb Wing D group.
Sortie Report⇗
235⇗ 4 December 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Soest, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97263⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
236⇗ 6 December 1944 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38262⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
238⇗ 11 December 1944 Target: Road & Rail Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38630⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy, D Group. Hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
240⇗ 18 December 1944 Target: Road Junction
Type: Transportation
Location: Gemünd, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38800⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
242⇗ 23 December 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Ehrang, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97263⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at Horham due to weather.
Sortie Report⇗
243⇗ 24 December 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Kirch Göns, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑8401⇗ Combat Mission Credit
13F Squadron Lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
247⇗ 31 December 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Neuss, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38800⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
248⇗ 1 January 1945 Target: Oil Storage Depot
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Derben, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38800⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
250⇗ 3 January 1945 Target: Enemy Strong Point & Transportation Hub
Type: Military
Location: St Vith, Belgium 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑37843⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 43‑38757. High Squadron. Aborted due to a broken oil line.
Sortie Report⇗
251⇗ 5 January 1945 Target: Landing Ground
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Neiderbreisig, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38800⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
255⇗ 15 January 1945 Target: Neuburg Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Neuburg an der Donau, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑6105⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Number two engine blew #9 cylinder; jettisoned bombs in Channel.
Sortie Report⇗
256⇗ 17 January 1945 Target: Railroad Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: Bielefeld, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38800⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
257⇗ 20 January 1945 Target: Rail and Road Bridges
Type: Transportation
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38630⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron hot camera ship. Landed away at RAF Bourn, Cambridgeshire.
Sortie Report⇗
259⇗ 22 January 1945 Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Sterkrade, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38752⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗

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