I met Jack at the 73rd Bomb Wing reunion last year in Norfolk, VA and Jack has kindly sent me several articles which will be found in different places on this web site.

Jack Franklin was a flight engineer on the B-29's in World War II. Jack flew out of Saipan, arriving there on December 11, 1944 and departing on July 3, 1945. Jack's total combat flying hours were 443.2 . He flew 30 Combat Missions over Japan on A Square 24, "Wheel N Deal" . Jack flew with the 870th Bomb Squadron, 497th Bombardment Group (VH) , 73rd Bombardment Wing - 21st Bomber Command, 20th Air Force, #0868108 (formerly 17075338). He was an enlisted man - a corporal. Enlisted at the Jefferson Barracks, Missouri (St. Louis) in June 1942.

Warren H. Delker was the plane commander. March 18, 1945 Jack flew in A Square 31, New Glory, on his 10th mission and landed at Iwo Jima on the return flight on March 19, 1945 on two engines. Scott Nattress helped change out the two damaged engines. Jack also flew on Shack Happy Pappy [A Square 21?]. Star Duster [A Square 30], Thumper [A Square 21?], Shady Lady [A Square 23], Mis-Hap [A Square 22], Lucky Irish [A Square 26] and Wheel 'N Deal [A Square 24].


Jack's Crew:

Warren H. Delker - Pilot
Lawrence Mayer - Navigator
Willard [Jack] Franklin - Flight Engineer
Frank Kariva - Bombardier
Howard Leonard - Co-Pilot ( died 3/84)
Ott Brooks - Radar (deceased)
Jack W. McCrery - Radio and Gunner (deceased)
Andrew W. Fleishmann - Gunner
Charles Mabry - Gunner
Charles Kelly - Gunner (deceased)
Paul Carter - Gunner
Fred R. Spies - Alternate Co-Pilot
Arthur C. McKelvey - Gunner during training
Nathan Richman - Alternate Bombardier
Earl or Charles J. Stout - Alternate Co-Pilot
Donald R. Phillips - Crew Chief on A Square 24, Wheel 'N Deal (deceased)
Scott Nattress- Crew Chief on A Square 31, New Glory

Jack's crew flew their 20 missions primarily together and most of the missions were in A Square 24, Wheel 'N Deal, serial # 42-24604.