Franklin served as a First Lieutenant and Aircraft Commander on B-29 #42-65348, 869th Bomber Squadron, 497th Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

As the Aircraft Commander he actually sat in the Co-Pilot's seat to give him the ability to command the mission and aircraft.

He resided in Baltimore, Maryland prior to the war.

B-29 #42-65348 was part of mission #187 which was a mission to attack Osaka, Japan. This mission included "458" B-29's in the attack on Osaka itself and "16" B-29's attacking other targets. B-29 #42-65348 was one of " 10 " B-29's lost on this mission.

They took off, with a crew of 11, from Saipan on a bombing mission over Osaka, Japan. Near the target they were hit by ground anti-aircraft fire which destroyed their #1 engine. They were last seen losing altitude and heading out to sea by other aircraft in the formation. They were not seen again by the other aircraft.

A later Japanese historian noted that after heading out to sea with their engine damaged they were attacked by Japanese Fighter Aircraft and shot down and crashed south of Osaka in the Nara Region of Japan. " 7 " members of the crew were killed in the crash and " 4 " crew members became POW's of the Japanese Army.

The " 4 " captured included 1st Lt. Wittee, T/Sgt Hart, Sgt. Beecroft and S/Sgt Strong. All four were eventually "executed" by the Japanese Army.

1st Lt. Wittee and T/Sgt Hart were executed immediately upon capture. S/Sgt Beecroft was executed on July 21, 1945 and S/Sgt Strong was executed on the last day of the war - August 15, 1945.

Franklin was "Killed In Action" in this crash during the war.

He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Service # O-760796

Husband of Ruth A. Crowe who resided in Baltimore, Maryland.

He was originally interred in the Yokohama Cemetery #1 and was later repatriated here on March 11, 1949.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Airmen who perished on B-29 # 42-65348:

Angell, Robert B. ~ S/Sgt, Radio Operator, IL
Beck, George A., Jr. ~ S/Sgt, Left Gunner, IA
Beecroft, Lawrence W. ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, NJ ~ Executed
Crowe, Franklin W. ~ 1st Lt, Commander, MD
Hart, Alvin R. ~ T/Sgt, CEC, WA ~ Executed
Isley, William H. ~ Corp, Right Gunner, NC
Jorstad, Oswald J. ~ 1st Lt, Engineer, ND
Manning, John V. ~ 1st Lt, Navigator, LA
Strong, Russell W. ~ S/Sgt, Radar Operator, CT ~ Executed
Wittee, Harrison K. ~ 1st Lt, Bombardier, IL ~ Executed
Young, Millard M. ~ 2nd Lt, Pilot, FL

The " 10 " B-29's lost included:

B-29 #42-24524 ~ " 10 " crew members lost.
" Click Here " for those lost on #42-24524.
B-29 #42-24542 ~ " 11 " ~ crew members lost.
" Click Here " for those lost on #42-24542.
B-29 #42-24741 ~ " 2 " ~ crew members lost.
" Click Here " for those lost on #42-24741.
B-29 #42-63496 ~ " 11 " ~ crew members lost.
" Click Here " for those lost on #42-63496.
B-29 #42-65348 ~ " 7 " ~ crew members lost.
( shown above )
B-29 #42-65364 ~ " 1 " crew member lost.
" Click Here " for the loss on #42-65364.
B-29 #42-62570 ~ " 10 " crew members lost.
" Click Here " for those lost on #42-62570.
B-29 #42-93995 ~ " 1 " crew member lost.
" Click Here " for the loss on #42-93995.
B-29 #44-61666 ~ Ditch, crew survived.
B-29 #44-70083 ~ " 11 " crew members lost.
" Click Here " for those lost on #44-70083.

( Crew Reports by: Russ Pickett )