World War II Honoree

Frank Willis Bartlett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Whitesville, West Virginia

Honored By

Ann Clendenen Danko

Relationship

Niece

JOINED THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE IN NOVEMBER 1941. SERVED AS A TAIL GUNNER ON B-17 IN THE 360TH SQUADRON OF THE 303RD BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 8TH U.S. AIR FORCE AT MOLESWORTH, ENGLAND. SHOT DOWN ON HIS 26TH MISSION OVER ST. NAZAIRE, FRANCE IN THE B-17 'YARD BIRD' ON MAY 29, 1943. HE WAS BADLY WOUNDED, INCLUDING THE LOSS OF HIS LEFT EYE, BUT SURVIVED DUE TO THE EXCELLENT MEDICAL CARE GIVEN HIM BY THE GERMAN AIR FORCE AT A HOSPITAL IN PARIS. HE SPENT THE NEXT 16 MONTHS IN A GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP. HE WAS EXCHANGED BY THE RED CROSS FOR WOUNDED GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR THE U.S. HELD ON THE SWEDISH SHIP GRIPSHOLM ON SEPTEMBER 26, 1944. HE EARNED MANY MEDALS, INCLUDING the distinguished flying cross, with oak leaf clusters, the purple heart with cluster and the air medal with several oak leaf clusters. DISCHARGED SEPTEMBER 30, 1945.