Foil: 7 Panel: 2 Column: 1 Line: 74

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mrs. Rosemarie Sommo

Engineer Gunner from Summit, NJ. Member of the 9th Air Force, 386th bomb group.

Frank Sommo, top turret engineer gunner - Completed and survived 65 missions stationed in Dunmow, England.

The B-26 Marauder played a major role in crippling the enemy's ability to advance by accurate high speed low altitude bombing of bridges and railroads. "We went in to support the ground forces that were preparing for the big push. The German's really put up a barrage of flak. I have never seen anything like it before. The B-26 Marauders literally saturated the area with bombs, making it possible for the ground forces to advance."

SSgt Sommo had a bird's-eye view of the Normandy Invasion on D-Day. He was one of the young brave Crusaders in the B-26 Marauder formation that bombed coastal targets. The 386th by virtue of its high record of accurate bombing was the last group to bomb the enemy as our troops drew closer. This tactic cleared the way for our soldiers landing on the beach, leading the way to our country's victory and freedom.