Frederick John Deck Jr. was born on September 7, 1923, in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. He served in the 787th Bomb Squadron, 466th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Observer/ Pilot of B-24J #42-51331 during World War II.

On September 16, 1944, B-24J Liberator 42-51331 was destroyed in a mid-air collision over Norfolk, England, during a formation practice mission rather than a combat operation. The aircraft was serving as the lead bomber in the 466th Bomb Group's "B" formation and took off at 2:11 p.m. for the training exercise. The formation assembled normally and completed a simulated bombing run before turning toward the rally point near RAF Bodney. During the maneuver, another B-24 from the formation, B-24H 42-95361, "Glad Ta See Ya," made its turn too tightly and came up beneath 42-51331. Its pilot attempted to avoid the lead aircraft by diving away, but the bomber was caught in the propeller wash of 42-51331. The two Liberators collided, with the impact involving their rear sections. The collision was catastrophic for 42-51331. The aircraft broke apart around the waist and tail section and immediately became uncontrollable. The entire tail section separated from the bomber, leaving a large opening in the damaged fuselage.

Because this was a training mission, 42-51331 was carrying additional personnel aboard. The other Liberator involved in the collision, 42-95361, was also destroyed, although three men managed to escape by parachute. Of those aboard both aircraft, only four survived: 1st Lt. Stuart M. Peace Jr. from 42-51331 and three airmen from 42-95361.

2Lt Deck is now buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England.

Sources of information: www.findagrave.com, 453rd.blogspot.com, weremember.abmc.gov