Harrod Franklin Dick

Name:

Franklin Dick Harrod

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-777468

Unit:

600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-12-24

State:

Ohio

Cemetery:

Westminster Salem Cemetery, Westminster, Allen County, Ohio, USA

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

Franklin Dick Harrod was born on March 9, 1924, in Westminster, Allen County, Ohio. He enlisted in the service on February 9, 1943. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of B-17 #42-102536 nicknamed ''Here's Hopin'' during World War II.

On December 24, 1944, the ''Here's Hopin'' crashed shortly after takeoff from RAF Nuthampstead in England during a mission to Merzehausen, Germany. Poor weather and foggy conditions contributed to the accident. The aircraft caught fire and exploded near Little Chishill, close to Saffron Walden.

2Lt Harrod was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Westminster Salem Cemetery, Westminster, Allen County, Ohio, USA. Franklin D. Harrod's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 15, in the top right wing (section B).

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