Jesse D. Franks.
Bombardier · 328th Squadron · Of 705 Second Avenue North, Columbus, Mississippi, MS.
The Man Behind the Name
1st Lt. Jesse D. Franks served as bombardier on the 1 August 1943 Ploesti mission. He was reported killed in action following the loss of aircraft 42-40612 to enemy anti-aircraft fire.
Warner reported that Franks bailed out but his parachute failed to open completely. The casualty questionnaire lists Franks as having bailed out and been killed as a result. His next of kin was listed as Reverend Jesse D. Franks Sr. (father), 705 Second Avenue North, Columbus, Mississippi.
Service record.
Missions flown.
The missions below are those we have been able to document for this airman, drawn from flight logs, mission records, and archival sources. It is not necessarily a complete account of every mission flown; gaps may reflect missing documentation, transferred assignments, or records lost to time.