Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Frank
Peter
Bostrom
September 11, 1907

–

January 6, 1994

Cemetery:

Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Frank Bostrom was pilot of one of 12 B-17s which arrived over Hawaii on a flight from the U.S. on December 7, 1942. With no ammunition on board his B-17, he could do little more than to try to escape, so he played tag around Oahu with Japanese fighters before he was finally able to land safely on a golf course. On March 17, 1942, Captain Bostrom piloted the B-17 that flew General Douglas MacArthur out of the Philippine Islands.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    14th Reconnaissance Squadron

    Regiment:

    19th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 10 – 14, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in Australia, General Orders No. 39 (April 15, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Frank Peter Bostrom (ASN: 0-22804), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 14th Reconnaissance Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (H), FAR EAST Air Force. Captain Bostrom took off on 10 April 1942, from Batchelor Field, N.T., Australia, flying over enemy infested seas to the Philippine Islands. Here he participated with great personal skill and cool daring in a bombing mission which resulted in heavy damage to installations in enemy hands at Nichols Field, Philippine Islands. When his airplane was destroyed by strong enemy action, Captain Bostrom saved his crew and himself. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Bostrom during this period have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.