World War II Honoree

Jay M. Franklin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Kansas City, Missouri

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Technical Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Army Air Corps October 14, 1941 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. After completing basic military training, he was selected to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. He served as a Radio Operator aboard a B-17 ‘Flying-Fortress’ Bomber, assigned to the 401st Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, and a subordinate unit of the U.S. 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ Army Air Forces. His unit was based at the Bassingbourn Royal Air Force Station Location: Cambridgeshire, England. Saturday, April 17, 1943 his Bomber was shot down by German Fighters, while participating in a Bombing mission to Bremen, Germany. The Flight Group’s mission was to destroy, an operational German Aircraft Plant. He successfully bailed-out, before his aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Bruchhausen. He was captured by the German Armed Forces, and transferred to the Prisoner of War Camp, Stalag 7A near Moosburg, Bavaria. When the War ended in Europe Tuesday, May 8, 1945 he was liberated, and returned to military control. This American Patriot received the following Decorations: Air Medal, WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and the Silver Aviator Badge. The Air Medal was awarded to the Sergeant for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.