Private First Class
United States Army Air Force
Frederick A. Spiess, son of William and Mary (Ablen) Spiess, was born on 28 May 1917 in Davenport, Iowa baptized at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in 1917.
Frederick, baptized at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, attended Saint Ambrose Academy.
In March 1942, Frederick enlisted in the United States Army Air Force. He was first stationed at Sheppard Field, Texas, then reassigned to Barksdale Field in Shreveport, Louisiana, and finally to Tindal Field, Florida where he was assigned to the 439th Bomber Squadron. Frederick was killed on 21 August 1942, when two United States Army Air Force medium bombers crashed in mid-air near Harding Field at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He arrived at Harding Field a week before his death.
Frederick was survived by his parents; four sisters, Loretta Rakocy, Dorothy Fleischman, Ann Lewis, and Mary Margaret; and three brothers, Walter, Joseph, and William, Jr.
Private First Class Frederick A. Spiess, United States Army Air Force, is buried in Davenport’s Holy Family Cemetery.
Source of Information:
1. Davenport Democrat and Times, 2 August 1942, page 9.
2. Davenport Democrat and Times, 23 August 1942, page 1.
3. Davenport Democrat and Times, 27 August 1942, page 15.
4. National World War II Memorial veteran’s registry; http://www.wwiimemorial.com/.
5. St. Joseph's Catholic Church Baptismal Index 1872-1921.
6. Letter, family history, and newspaper clippings from Mrs. Velma Donald dated 5 August 2004.
7. Pictures and information provided by Patricia Erickson on 17 August 2004. Patricia is Frederick's niece.
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