According to his NARA enlistment record, Frank G. Krajacic was born in Pennsylvania in 1919. It further states, he completed grammar school and had been employed as a semi-skilled driver when he was inducted into the U.S. Army at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 27, 1942.

Records of the 303rd Bomb Group indicate he was trained as a flight engineer, then as an aerial gunner. He was assigned to an operational training unit and a combat crew for other training. The crew arrived in England in July 1943, and was assigned to the 358th Bomb Squadron of the 303rd Bomb Group.

TSgt Krajacic flew his first combat mission on July 30, with the W.J. Monohan crew in B-17 # 42-29754, "Shangrila Lil." He was wounded by flak shrapnel in the left hand during this mission. Crew reports state Krajacic shot down a BF-109 during this mission, but no official claim was filed. He then flew a second mission with the same crew, but in B-17 # 42-29571, "Charley Horse" on August 12. His next mission was on August 16 when he flew with the Shebeck crew in B-17 # 42-29254, "Meat Hound." His fourth credited mission came on August 17 when he flew as flight engineer with the Mitchell crew on B-17 # 42-3193, "G For George," on the infamous first attack on Schweinfurt. His final mission was flown on August 19 with the Nix crew in "G For George."

The target that day was the airdrome and storage facilities at Gilze-Rijen, Holland. On the bomb run, the target could not be seen because of sun position and ground haze. Part of the formation began the return home, but the 303rd Bomb Group made a second run and bombed the target. Because they were now well behind the first group, the bombers had no escort. They were attacked by 30 enemy aircraft in a running fight that lasted until 10 miles from the Dutch coast.

"G For George" and the Nix crew were shot down and crashed between Oosterhout and Raamspankyoot, Holland. Four of the crew were killed in action; the remainder were captured.

TSgt Krajacic is buried in the American War Cemetery at Margraten, Holland, where he lies in Plot K, Row 7, Grave 11.

www.findagrave.com/search

www.afoptiegraven-database.nl/index.php

www.303rdbg.com/358shebeck.html

www.303rdbg.com/Missionreports/061.pdf

http://warmemorial.us/mediawiki3/index.php?title=WWIII_(Washington_Pennsylvania)

NARA Enlistment records

Krajacic, Frank G., TSgt