Last Known Activity:
Frederick C. Doscher was born around 1917 in New York. He was the son of Peter A. and Katherina Doscher. The US Census 1930 shows the family living in Valley Stream, New York. He graduated from Valley Stream Central High School.
No reliable data was found concerning his enlistment, but given his age, assignments, and rank, it can be assumed he entered service in 1942. He was trained as a pilot in heavy bombers, but never was awarded the status of First pilot. He was assigned as co-pilot on a combat crew headed by Capt (then Lt) Martin McGinnis.
He flew 18 credited missions, the first on November 27, 1944. On January 13, 1945, the designated target was the railroad bridge at Mannheim, Germany. Just as bombs were released, the aircraft was hit by flak, wounding both the pilot and the tail gunner. The pilot gave the bail-out signal, then with help from the wounded gunner, bailed out, followed by the remainder of the crew.
German records show that all enlisted men landed safely, but were captured. The three officers were reported as recovered dead. No exact circumstances of their deaths are given in any records.
Doscher was buried in the local cemetery at Bubenheim, Germany. Later, his body was recovered and moved to the American (Lorraine) Cemetery in France where he lies in Plot E, Row 15, Grave 18. The Headstone Inscription and Interment Record card was signed by his father, not his designated next of kin, Janice (wife.)
www.findagrave.com
www.honorstates.org/index.php?
www.ancestry.com
www.303rdbg.com/missionreport/301.pdf
www.303rdbg.com/combat crews
Headstone Inscription and Interment Record card
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Comments/Citation:
Lt Frederick Doscher was the assigned co-pilot on B-17G # 42-107099, nicknamed "Old 99," assigned to the 427th Bomb Squadron.
Missing Air Crew Report 11577 was issued to cover the event. Mission loading lists state the crew was composed of:
Cpt Martin S. McGinnis p
2 Lt Frederick C. Doscher c-p
2 Lt Richard M. Emick nav
Sgt S.P. Simone tog
SSgt Robert J. Lyons eng/tt gun
TSgt Keith R. Muir r/o
Sgt Donald L. Beal btg
SSgt Lois R. Hamilton wg
Sgt Lowell F. Stevenson tail gun
Ranks and grades as of mission date.
In the McGinnis crew photo, Doscher is in the front row, 3rd from left.
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