Francis G. Adkins was born on December 12, 1919, in Chillicothe, Missouri. He enlisted in the service on November 23, 1943. He served in the 731st Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-17 #44-8015 known as "Johnny Reb" during World War II.

On February 22, 1945, the ''Johnny Reb'' set out on its fourth mission to bomb Ulm, Germany. Previously damaged by flak and deemed unfit for flight, it was repaired and sent on the mission. Hit by flak over Ansbach, the aircraft continued but later encountered severe turbulence and prop wash at 17,000 feet. When the pilot lowered the flaps to reduce speed, the plane broke apart mid-air. Seven crew members perished, while three survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

Sgt Adkins was captured and taken as a prisoner of war in Germany. He died on March 17, 2001. Currently, we don't have details about his burial.

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com