Gene Frederick Clinesmith was born on December 26, 1924, in Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma. He was the son of Frederick Lawrence Clinesmith and Avis Evelyn Garrett Clinesmith. He served in the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of B-17 #42-97810 during World War II.

On March 9, 1945, B-17G 42-97810 was part of a bombing mission targeting Kassel, Germany. During the mission, the aircraft sustained severe damage from anti-aircraft flak and crashed near Fritzlar, southwest of Kassel. Of the nine crew members, seven were captured by German forces and became prisoners of war while the other two were Killed in Action.

2Lt Clinesmith was among those who lost their lives in the crash and is now buried in the Wakita Cemetery, Wakita, Grant County, Oklahoma, USA. Gene F. Clinesmith's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 11, in the bottom left wing (section C).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, b17flyingfortress.de, www.398th.org