Person:Francis Creegan (1)

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Francis Leo Creegan
b.1922 Oklahoma, United States
d.21 Feb 1944 Reedham, Norfolk, England
Parents and Siblings
(edit)
m. 1915
  1. Rosemary Creegan1917 - 2000
  2. Helen Francis Creegan1919 - 2006
  3. Francis Leo Creegan1922 - 1944
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Facts and Events
Name Francis Leo Creegan
Alt Name Bud _____
Gender Male
Birth? 1922 Oklahoma, United States
Census? 1930 Fort Scott, Bourbon, Kansas, United States
Census? 1940 Fort Scott, Bourbon, Kansas, United States
Death? 21 Feb 1944 Reedham, Norfolk, England
Burial? 1945 El Reno, Canadian, Oklahoma, United StatesEl Reno Cemetery

Frank "Bud" Creegan was the photographer assigned to Pilot John N. Hutchison and crew's final mission during Big Week, part of a united effort between US and England to bomb the dickens out of German Air Force to help clear the way for the D Day invasion. This was their 25th and final mission and they would be going back to the US.

Then unexpectedly their plane collided over Reedham, England with another B17 just minutes from the safety of base due to the engine failure on the other bomber flown by Lt Warren Pease. Both plane wreckages were found 800 yards apart, 21 US servicemen died. A parachute was recovered from Hutchison's Sleepy Gal 2 bomber and today it’s in the Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio.

A British documentary “Time Team Reedham Marshes” season 6 episode 8 is on Youtube.com and tells this story. Also retold as part of 2 books by Ian McLachlan. A memorial plaque in Reedham, England was dedicated thanks to the author Ian McLachlan and the 385th bomb squad association.

Frank L "Bud" Creegan was photographing the 25th mission. His camera was recovered but no film survived the fire. Bud’s remains are buried in Oklahoma with his parents.

Information from Elizabeth Pyle

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