Frank Thomas Sterbenz was born on November 24, 1921, in California, Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Frank Sterbenz and Rose Jellen Sterbenz. He enlisted in the service on June 29, 1942. He served in the 844th Bomb Squadron, 489th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier during World War II.

On June 25, 1944, “Fay Day,” based at Halesworth, Suffolk, took off for a mission to Villacoublay, France, during the intense air operations following the D-Day landings. Shortly after departure, the aircraft was unable to reach the proper altitude, and the mission was aborted. As the crew attempted to return to base, the situation worsened. At approximately 18:32 hours, while approaching the area of Westhall, the aircraft turned sharply to the left during its attempted landing. It clipped willow trees near The Mill before crashing into a field along Hares Lane, behind Manor Farm Cottages. Moments after impact, the aircraft’s fuel tanks and onboard bombs exploded, destroying the bomber. Most of the crew were killed in the accident, with only two men surviving.

2Lt Sterbenz was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Coal Center, Washington County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, americanarchive.iwm.org.uk