World War II Honoree

Frank Fernandez, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Kings County, New York

Honored By

500th Bomb Group Memorial Association

CO-PILOT WITH RANK OF FIRST LIEUTENANT ON Z SQUARE 13, OF THE 881ST SQUADRON. THE MISSION WAS TO BOMB THE NAKAJIMA AIRCRAFT ASSEMBLY PLANT NEAR OTA. IN THE TARGET AREA, THE PLANE WAS ATTACKED BY A TONY AND A PIECE WAS SEEN TO FALL OFF THE RIGHT WING. THE LAST REPORT WAS #3 ENGINE SMOKING AND PLANE RETURNING TO THE COAST. NO RADIO MESSAGES WERE RECEIVED. THE PLANE WAS ASSUMED TO HAVE GONE DOWN IN THE SEA SINCE NEITHER THE AIRCRAFT NOR THE CREW WAS EVER FOUND. THE DATE WAS FEBRUARY 10, 1945.