World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Francis E. Akins
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Derry, Pennsylvania
Honored By
390th Bomb Group Memorial Museum
HE SERVED HIS COUNTRY WITH THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 390TH BOMB GROUP, 568TH BOMB SQUADRON WHICH OPERATED OUT OF FRAMINGTON, ENGLAND DURING WWII. HE WAS THE PILOT ON THE B-17 AIRCRAFT SERIAL #338175. WHILE ON HIS 15TH MISSION (390TH MISSION #191) ON 18 SEPTEMBER 1944 THEIR PLANE WAS HIT BY FLAK AND GERMAN FIGHTERS AND WENT DOWN. HE WAS AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE MEDAL OF HONOR. HE IS INTERNED IN NEUPRE, BELGIUM, ARDENNES AMERICAN CEMETERY.