SSgt. Frank Charles Elg

Staff Sergeant Frank C. Elg was assigned as the Radio Op. with the 758th Bomb Squadron, 459th Bomb Group (Heavy), 304th Bomb Wing, 15th Air Force, based at Giulia Airfield, Italy. The 459th Bombardment Group flew B-24 Liberator bombers on missions in Italy, France, the Balkans, Austria and Germany.

On 8 February 1944, SSGT Elg was the Radio Op. on B-24 Liberator bomber AAF Serial Number 41-29293 that departed Fortaleza, Brazil for Dakar, Africa, at 0103 GMT, on a ferrying mission. Radio contacts were made at 0203, 0303, 0403 GMT and no trouble was reported. At 0503 GMT, Fortaleza ground station attempted to contact the aircraft but was unable to get a reply. It was thought that static or radio trouble had prevented contact. No contact with the aircraft was made after 0403 GMT on 8 February and the aircraft did not arrive at its destination, Dakar. The aircraft had a crew of 10 and no passengers. The crew was listed as MIA.

Search and Recovery Efforts

An extensive search was ordered and all aircraft flying the route between Fortaleza and Dakar were briefed to be on the lookout for oil slicks and life rafts and to listen to the radio for distress calls. The search continued for 10 days and all facilities were used to cover the area. The search produced negative results.

The Casualty Branch of the Adjutant General Office in Washington, DC, listed the cause of the loss as an Accident.

S/Sgt. Frank C. Elg appears Tablets of the Missing East Coast Memorial New York City, lost February 8th 1944. His Memory Grove Memorial Park memorial is a cenotaph his body was never recovered.

1. 41-29293 Crew

2nd/Lt. Daniel B. McMillin Pilot
2nd/Lt. Charles A. Whittington Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. Thomas L. O'Kelley Navigator
2nd/Lt. Clyde E. Myers Bombardier
S/Sgt. Elmer J. Strausberger Engineer
S/Sgt. Frank C. Elg Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Frank C. Elg Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Carl A. Carlson Gunner
S/Sgt. Donald B. Thompson Gunner
S/Sgt. Harry L Basa Gunner

Inscription
US Army Air Force
Off Coast of Dakar, Africa