Sgt Franklin P. Hohmann
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) B-17 Flying Fortress Engineer

Background
Franklin P. Hohmann was born in 1920 to parents Franklin P. Hohmann Sr. and Bertha (née Liick) Hohmann in Trenton, New Jersey. Nicknamed "Frank". He attended grammar school.

Wartime History
On January 18, 1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) with serial number 6982391. On June 20, 1941 became a member of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). During 1943, married Virginia D. Bamford who resided at 1015 Liberty Street, Trenton, New Jersey.

On March 18, 1942 engineer aboard B-17B Flying Fortress 38-264 took off from Guatemala City Airfield. During take off, the pilot failed to sync engines no. 2 and no. 4, causing the bomber to head across the grass towards the terminal before hitting a diagonal ditch that tore off the landing gear and caused the bomber to slid another 50’ until it stopped. None of the crew were injured in the crash. Afterwards, this B-17 was written off.


During August 1942 engineer aboard B-17F Taxpayer's Pride 41-24448 on a ferry flight from Hickam Field across the Pacific via Christmas Island Airfield and Canton Airfield bound for Australia. During take off from from Canton Airfield the bomber had trouble with the no. 2 engine propeller forcing it to return to Canton Airfield to await a new part from Hawaii. When the wrong part was sent, Hohmann had the idea to use a plumbing pipe fitting with the same thread as the part they needed.. The crew voted to continue the ferry flight using this non-standard fitting. On August 23, 1942 they arrived safely in Australia. On arrival, a mechanic noticed the plumbing pipe and asked "whether they got hot and cold water from the part too".

In Australia, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 28th Bombardment Squadron (28th BS) as an engineer aboard B-17 Flying Fortress. In total, he flew 25 missions with the squadron.

On November 21, 1942 crew member aboard B-17F "Hell From Heaven Men" 41-24424 on a five hour bombing mission against two Japanese destroyers.

Later, assigned to the 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG), 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS) at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. In total, he flew 25 missions with the squadron.

On January 8, 1943 engineer aboard B-17E "Old Faithful" 41-2657 piloted by Captain Jay P. Rousek as one of nine B-17s on a bombing mission against a Japanese convoy off Lae. Arriving over the target at 6:00pm the bombers faced anti-aircraft fire and were intercepted by ten Zeros. Before the bomb run, hit by a 20mm shell that exploded in the nose and cockpit killing navigator 1st Lt. Roy K. Duffee and wounded the pilot in the legs. Hohmann went to the nose and covered Deffee then provided first aid to wounded co-pilot Benedetti then took over as co-pilot and had to operate the breaks as pilot Rousek was wounded in his legs. For his actions, he earned the Silver Star.

In early May 1943, photographed entertainer Joe E. Brown standing next to the nose of B-24D ".50 Cal Gal" 41-24127.

Next, assigned to temporary duty with the 8th Photo Recon Squadron (8th PRS) at 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer). In total, he flew 25 missions with the squadron.

Finally, assigned to the 403rd Bombardment Squadron (403rd BS) and flew eight missions with the squadron.

Frank Hohmann adds: "I document 25 missions while with the 28th Squadron, 19th Group, 25 missions with the 65th Squadron, 43rd Group and 25 missions with the 8th Photo Recon Squadron and 8 missions with the 403rd Squadron, 43rd Group for a total of 83 combat missions."

Postwar
Hohmann was employed by Hutchinson Signs Company in Trenton as a sheet metal engineer. Next, he worked for Keith Signs in Bristol, PA until retirement in 1980.
Memorials
Hohmann died at age 97 on August 2, 2017. He was cremated and buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton, NJ.

Awards
For his World War II service, Hohmann earned the Silver Star for the January 8, 1943 mission, Air Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

Relatives
Virginia Hohmann (wife died 2018 at age 95-96)
Betty Cook (sister)
Franklin L. Hohmann III (son)
Larry T. Hohmann (son)
Jay F. Hohmann (son)
Frank Hohmann (grandson)
Alexandra Hohmann (granddaughter)

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Franklin P. Hohmann
Guatemala City T/O/C  B-17-B 38-264  March 18, 1942 via My War Story page 66
Flight Log of Frank Hohmann July 1942, 1943
Oz@War - Frank Hohmann email correspondence 1999 (photo)
My War Story (2005) by Franklin P. Hohmann
Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume I (2016) pages 111-112 (January 8, 1943), 177, 394 (index Hohmann)
Ken's Men Against The Empire Volume I (2020) pages 113-115 (January 8, 1943), 183-184, 392, 393, 403 (index Hohmann)
FindAGrave - Franklin Hohmann (photos, grave photos)
Thanks to Frank P. Hohmann and Frank L. Hohmann III for additional information

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