Frederick H Palmer was born on July 29, 1915 in Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California.

He had enlisted in the Army Air Forces. Served during World War II. He had the rank of First Lieutenant. Occupation or specialty was Navigator. Service number was O-730291. Served with 44th Bomber Group, Heavy, 66th Bomber Squadron, 8th Air Force.

Palmer experienced a traumatic event which resulted in loss of life on August 1, 1943. Recorded circumstances attributed to: "KIA - Killed in Action". Incident location: Ploiesti, Romania.

He was on the crew of the B-24D Liberator #41-24015 "Wing Dinger" during a mission to the oil refinery at Ploiesti, Romania. They were shot down by enemy fire over the target area. Lt. Palmer was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his participation in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 44th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.

Frederick H Palmer is memorialized at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California. This is a National American Cemetery administered through the Department of Veteran's Affairs.

COMMENDATIONS

★ Distinguished Flying Cross ★ Air Medal ★ Purple Heart

Crew of #41-24015

7 casualties related to the #41-24015 incident on August 1, 1943.

Pilot: 1st Lt. George W Winger, IL Fold3

Co Pilot: 2nd Lt. Edward Barnett, IL Fold3

Radio Operator: Sgt. Howard F Gotts, NY Fold3

Bombardier: Sgt. Jacob , WA Fold3

Flight Engineer: T/Sgt.Harold Kretzer, MN Fold3

Navigator: Frederick H Palmer, CA Fold3

Tail Gunner: Sgt. Elvin L Phillips, UT Fold3

Thank you for your supreme sacrifice in service to your country.

_This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project _https://www.storiesbehindthestars.org/. This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WWII fallen here on Fold3. Can you help write these stories? Related to this, there will be a smart phone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

Sources:

https://www.ancestry.com/ - 1920, 1930, 1940 census, draft card

https://www.findagrave.com/

https://www.honorstates.org/index.php