Ferdinand Edward Flach was born on April 14, 1925, in Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri. He was the son of Ferdinand J. Flach and Margaret H. Flach. He served in the 701st Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Nose Turret Gunner of B-24H #41-28922 nicknamed "Texas Rose" during World War II.

On September 27, 1944, “Texas Rose” was lost during a bombing mission targeting the Henschel armored vehicle and industrial complex at Kassel, Germany. Because of navigational and leadership errors, the group became separated from the main bomber stream and, instead of reaching Kassel, mistakenly bombed Göttingen, Germany. Isolated and lacking effective fighter escort, the formation was then attacked by a large force of German interceptors, estimated at 150 aircraft, including Fw 190s and Bf 109s, which launched coordinated climbing attacks from the rear. In the fierce aerial battle that followed, 25 B-24 bombers of the 445th Bomb Group were shot down within minutes, including Texas Rose. The aircraft was severely damaged and forced down, and members of the crew bailed out over German-held territory.

Sgt Flach survived the bailout but was captured by German civilians and later murdered along with crewmate Sgt. Lee Huffman. His death was officially recorded as occurring while in prisoner-of-war status. Following the war, several individuals responsible for the killings were tried and convicted in war crimes proceedings at Dachau. He is now buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.445bg.org, weremember.abmc.gov