Giannobule Frank W.

Name:

Frank W. Giannobule

Rank:

Flight Officer

Serial Number:

T-126892

Unit:

84th Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group

Date of Death:

1945-03-24

State:

Iowa

Cemetery:

Netherlands American Cemetery, Netherlands

Plot:

G

Row:

16

Grave:

10

Decoration:

Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Comments:

Frank W. Giannobule was born on September 23, 1920 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the son of Paul Giannobule and Mary R Giannobule. He was a graduate of Lincoln High school and entered the service in August, 1941. Frank served in the 84th Troop Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group as a Flight Officer and glider Pilot during World War II.

F/O Giannobule flew gliders towed behind C47 airplanes that were instrumental in delivering troops and equipment, first at D-Day and last at Wessel, Germany.

His WACO glider #43-43128 was shot down when the left wing was hit by 88mm artillery fire just outside of the landing Zone, Northeast of Wesel, Germany. All nine on board were killed. F/O Giannobule is buried now in the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands and also has a cenotaph in Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.

Source of information: www.abmc.gov, www.honorstates.org