Frederick D. Worthen.
328th Squadron · Of St. Paul, MN.
The man.
MACR-12008 Account
Bombardier of B-24J 42-78486. Listed as "Werthen" on the original MACR form; correct spelling confirmed as Worthen across German records and next-of-kin lists.
Captured 28 January 1945 on Schouwen Island, Holland. Transferred to Dulag Luft West on 30 January 1945.
From the 2nd Air Division Association Yearbook
Assigned to 8th Air Force, 93rd Bomb Group, 328th/329th Sqdns. at Hardwick, England. Flew 23.5 missions. On Jan. 28, 1945, over Dortmund, Germany with two engines out (propellers windmilling) and a third engine failing, bailed out near Haamstede, Holland. All crew were captured within two hours. Passed through Dortmund (devastated), then ten days of solitary confinement at Oberursel; transferred to Stalag XIII-D at Nuremberg. On April 4, 1945 began forced march to Moosburg (Stalag VII-A); liberated April 29, 1945.
Service record.
Missions flown.
Before and after.
Born May 25, 1923 in St. Paul, MN. Enlisted in USAAC Aviation Cadet Program Nov. 12, 1942. Graduated from Victorville AAB as bombardier/navigator, second lieutenant, April 1, 1944. Air crew assembled in Lincoln, NE; trained in B-24s in Boise, ID; picked up airplane in Topeka, KS. Flew to England in July 1944 via Labrador, Greenland, Iceland, and Wales.
Liberated from Stalag VII-A (Moosburg) April 29, 1945. Left active duty Nov. 11, 1945. Married Comrie Woolley July 7, 1945; two daughters Janet and Jill, two grandchildren Eric and Dena. Retired from reserves 1983 as major. Retired from architectural and building construction business Oct. 28, 1988. Resides in Burbank, CA.