Frederick H. Rawson
Theater: European
Theater: European
Highest rank: Major
S/N: O-802783
Wife: Arlene Rawson
Of Ellenton, FL.
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) # 2421
He was in the 8th A.F., 44th Bombardment Grp, 506th Bomb Sq.
On Feb. 20, 1944, he was pilot of a B-24J (S/N: 42-100373) with 9 other crew members with the intended bombing target of an aircraft plant at Halberstadt, Germany when he was shot down. Shorty after turning from the target, his #2 engine was hit by flak. His plane became a straggler and was then attacked by enemy aircraft. All crew members except Sgt. J. E. Winfree bailed out. Sgt. Winfree received a direct 10 mm hit and was instantly killed. As Rawson was about to leave the aircraft, he saw Sgt. Robert E. Shultz standing on the catwalk. He made Shultz jump. Shultz was severely burned, and, Rawson believed, wounded. Through an investigating insurance company, Rawson learned that Shultz died in the summer of 1944. Sgt. John B. Hoffman was also wounded but bailed out through the bomb bay.
Rawson had a 23 year career with the Air Force. He retired from active duty in 1960.