World War II Honoree

Frank Maxwell Andrews

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Nashville, Tennessee

Honored By

A Grateful American

IN 1942, HE WENT TO NORTH AFRICA, WHERE HE SPENT THREE MONTHS IN COMMAND OF ALL UNITED STATES FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST FROM A BASE IN CAIRO. AT THE CASABLANCA CONFERENCE IN JANUARY 1943, HE WAS APPOINTED COMMANDER OF ALL UNITED STATES FORCES IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HOWEVER, ON MAY 3, 1943, THE B-24 CARRYING HIMSELF ON AN INSPECTION TOUR CRASHED IN MT. FAGRADALSFJALL ON THE REYKJANES PENINSULA AFTER AN ABORTED ATTEMPT TO LAND AT THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BASE AT KALDADARNES, ICELAND. HE AND THIRTEEN OTHERS DIED IN THE CRASH. HE WAS THE HIGHEST-RANKING ALLIED OFFICER TO DIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY TO THAT POINT IN THE WAR.