Shantz Frederick Leroy

Monuments

Fallen Bombers in Médoc Information Boards

Fallen Bombers in Médoc Monument

Name:

Frederick Leroy Shantz

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-745197

Unit:

615th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

0000-00-00

State:

Arizona

Cemetery:

Hope Cemetery and Mausoleum, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona

Plot:

Block F

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Frederick Leroy Shantz was born on May 31, 1915, in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado. He was married to Audrey Ann Udovick Shantz.

Fred served in the 615th Bomber Squadron, 401st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Co-Pilot on the B-17 #42-40002 'Breezing Home' during World War II.

On June 19, 1944, his crew took off from Station 128 in Deenethorpe, England, for a mission to bomb the Bordeaux-Mérignac airfield in France. Hit by flak at around 10:00H, their plane developed mechanical problems (1 engine on fire - 2 others out of order - oil pressure). The plane was completely evacuated at 8,000 feet. Fortunately, all members survived the crash and the war. Their airplane crashed in Le Pouyau - 4 km south of Lesparre-Médoc. Based on the records, eight members were captured by the Germans before being released in Angoulêmes and returned to the UK. Two have evaded the capture. 1Lt Shantz was one of the evadees.

1Lt Shantz died in March 1985, at the age of 69. He is now buried in the Holy Hope Cemetery and Mausoleum, Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net