FRANK KRAMER MISSING IN ACTION
Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Kramer received a telegram Wednesday from the war department that their son, Frank, had been missing in action since August 5th in the Pacific.
The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., September 28, 1945, page 1
FRANK KRAMER GAVE LIFE IN COUNTRY’S SERVICE
Hope For Safe Return From Mission Given Up By Navy Officer
Mr. and Mrs. Theo Kramer, of Bingen, have been informed by Lt. Comdr. G. L.
Hicks, of the 109th Patrol Bombing squadron, that their son,
Frank Kramer, lost his life in the service of his country. He wrote under
date of September 7th:
“With the end of hostilities it is now possible to give
you further information about your son, Frank, although I regret that the
facts are such as to put an end to your hopes for his safe return.
“During the morning of August 5th, Frank's plane,
accompanied by another plane, made a low-level attack on a Japanese ship.
Anti-aircraft fire was intense and accurate and the plane was observed to be
on fire after passing over the ship. Within a matter of seconds it went out
of control, crashed into the water, and exploded. The other plane circled
the spot for almost an hour before having to return to base because it was
running low on fuel. No survivors were observed amidst the small bits of
wreckage still afloat.
“I regret exceedingly to dispel the hope to which you
have been clinging, but I know that you will prefer to have the truth rather
than false hope.
“Frank was a fine boy and the loss of him and his crew
is keenly and deeply felt by us all. We feel humble in the face of the
great sacrifice he has made for we realize that he has made this greatest of
sacrifices that we who remain may live once more in peace.”
The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., October 11, 1946, page 1
PURPLE HEART AWARDED TO MR. AND MRS. KRAMER
Son Frank R. Kramer Lost Life in Bomber During Fight with Jap Tanker
The purple heart has been awarded posthumously to Mr. and Mrs. Theo.
Kramer, of Bingen, Washington, for their son, Frank R. Kramer, who was
pronounced officially deceased by the war department.
The plane in which Frank was flying took off from Yontau Field,
Okinawa. A bombing run was made against a Japanese tanker. Two miles past
the tanker, the plane crashed into the water and burned. Two gold stars in
lieu of a 2nd and 3rd Air medals with citations have also been received by
Mr. and Mrs. Kramer.