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1LT Frank J Tomesek

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1LT Frank J Tomesek

Birth
Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, USA
Death
16 Nov 1949 (aged 29)
San Joaquin County, California, USA
Burial
Hillside, Cook County, Illinois, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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1st Lieutenant Tomesek was the co-pilot of U.S. Air Force B-29-70-BW
Superfortress #44-69939. While on a "round robin" training flight from Spokane
Air Force Base, with a mock bombing target to Stockton, California, then onward
to Ogden, Utah, then a return home, tragedy struck at 23:45 hours on the night of
November 16th, 1949. Two in the group of thirteen Superfortresses collided at
26,000 feet above Stockton and plunged to earth in flaming wreckage. Only two
airmen survived by bailing out in
time and parachuted safely to ground. Lt. Tomesek and eight other fliers
perished when the aircraft impacted in 6-10 feet of mud on Rindge Tract Island in the San Joaquin Delta, about 11
miles to the northwest. One crewmember parachuted to safety from the other B-29
(#44-86364) but nine were killed when it impacted on McDonald Island about 2 miles further south of this crashsite.
1st Lieutenant Tomesek was the co-pilot of U.S. Air Force B-29-70-BW
Superfortress #44-69939. While on a "round robin" training flight from Spokane
Air Force Base, with a mock bombing target to Stockton, California, then onward
to Ogden, Utah, then a return home, tragedy struck at 23:45 hours on the night of
November 16th, 1949. Two in the group of thirteen Superfortresses collided at
26,000 feet above Stockton and plunged to earth in flaming wreckage. Only two
airmen survived by bailing out in
time and parachuted safely to ground. Lt. Tomesek and eight other fliers
perished when the aircraft impacted in 6-10 feet of mud on Rindge Tract Island in the San Joaquin Delta, about 11
miles to the northwest. One crewmember parachuted to safety from the other B-29
(#44-86364) but nine were killed when it impacted on McDonald Island about 2 miles further south of this crashsite.

Gravesite Details

Entered the service from Ohio; ____ S/N AO-696610



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  • Created by: Tim Cook
  • Added: Sep 24, 2012
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97728285/frank_j-tomesek: accessed ), memorial page for 1LT Frank J Tomesek (21 Nov 1919–16 Nov 1949), Find a Grave Memorial ID 97728285, citing Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Tim Cook (contributor 46481904).