December 1, 1920 (Norwalk, CT) – June 22, 1943; 22 years old
Unmarried; engaged to Catherine Nolan when he was killed
Last local address: 198 Lakeview Drive, Norwalk
Enlisted May 12, 1942
Service number: 11066576
Unit: 91st Bomber Group, 324th Bomber Squadron
He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
Officially listed as “Finding of Death.”
From airnoseart.blogspot.com
Crew members, left to right
1st Lt James Lundy – bombardier
SSgt Elmer L. Frederick – waist gunner
Lt Winfield Scovell – navigator
Elmer served as a Waist Gunner on B-17 #42-29998, 324th Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. B-17 #42-29998 took off, with a crew of 10, from England on a bombing mission over a synthetic rubber plant in Huls, Germany. Over the target they were attacked by German fighter aircraft and shot down. Eight members of the crew were killed and 2 became POW’s of the German Army.
Names of Crew Killed In Action
Pilot: Joe Slattery
Navigator: Julius Ziegelmeyer
Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Dickson
Radio Operator: Glenn MacDonald
Ball turret gunner: Eldridge Hulet
Waist gunner: Dave Fishburn
Waist gunner: Elmer Frederick
Tail gunner: Ed Simon
Survivors
Co-pilot: Walter Brass (survived, POW)
Bombardier: Bob Brubaker (survived, POW)
After extensive research, it is not known where Sgt Frederick is buried. The accident report shows a gravesite in Germany with two unidentified bodies. It is unknown whether this was pursued or not.
This is page 10 of the Missing Air Craft Report 15576:
My Mom Catherine Nolan was Elmer’s fiancee at the time. I have always wanted to know what he looked like. Thank you so much for providing some information. I wonder if there are still relatives in Norwalk who would have photos of him.
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Hello Carole. I’m sorry I missed your comment on Memorial Day. I updated Elmer’s page to include the engagement and Catherine’s name. I’d like to hear more about her. A search on ancestry.com led to many Catherine Nolan’s born around the same time as Elmer. Her date of birth will help me narrow the search. Thanks for your contribution. I will pursue relatives in Norwalk also!
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Hello Jeff
I just read today your comment. I always wanted to know what Buddy looked like. My Mom passed in 2001 at the age of 80. She was born in Port Jervis,NY and raised in Bridgeport, Ct, on October 19, 1021. I am trying to get a better photo of Buddy. The paper that originally posted the photo in 1943 did not have archives that go back that far and suggested I contact the library. I’m sure there are quite a few Frederick’s still in Norwalk. Would love to know what high school he attended, perhaps I could find a photo. If you have any incite as to where I should look I would appreciate.
Thank you so much for the work that you do. It’s nice to know they are never forgotten.
God Bless
Carole
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