Frank Hatten was born on September 24, 1916, in Dalhart, Dallam County, Texas. He was the son of Ed Hatten and Gulielma Lenora Boon Hatten. He was the husband of Fannie Adelle Swaney Hatten. He served in the 511th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Co-Pilot of B-17 42-38005 nicknamed ''Stormy Weather'' during World War II.
On May 24, 1944, during a mission targeting Berlin, "Stormy Weather" encountered mechanical issues with its No. 2 engine, causing it to drop out of formation. The crew attempted to return to base but were forced to make an emergency landing near Myrholm, close to Sønderborg on the island of Als in Denmark. The aircraft crash-landed in a field near the farm Skærtoft and a house called Østerholm. All ten crew members survived and were taken as prisoners of war.
1Lt Hatten was held at Stalag 7A in Moosburg, Bavaria. After the war, Hatten continued his Air Force career, earning a business degree and serving in leadership roles, including commanding squadrons of C-130s. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1968. Active in his community, he was President of the Heart of Texas Lions Club.
In retirement, Hatten attended WWII and POW reunions, revisited his airbase in England, and participated in a ceremony in Denmark honoring his crew. Frank died on October 1, 2011, and is now buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Ranger, Eastland County, Texas, USA.
Source of information: www.airmen.dk, www.americanairmuseum.com