Staff Sargent Fred Ernest Botti
Newspaper image source:
The Morning Herald Uniontown PA Friday January 6, 1950.

Fred Ernest Botti was born 23 April 1923 to Jeanette (Laurita) and Albert Botti in Republic Pennsylvania. He attended New Salem public schools and was graduated from Uniontown High School in 1941. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces 8 January 1943. After training as an aerial gunner he deployed to the European Theater. Upon arrival he was assigned to the 496th Squadron, 344th Bomb Group (Medium), Ninth Air Force. Stationed at RAF Stanstead, USAAF Station 169, this was a B-26 Marauder medium bomb group.

On 27 April 1944 Fred was flying as tail gunner with his normal crew commanded by 1st Lt Joseph Savko. They were flying aboard B-26B-50-MA Serial Number 42-95926, named “Canteen Eileen”. The target for the day were coastal defenses at Fort-Mardyck, France, near Dunkirk. Their Marauder was hit by anti-aircraft flak over the target just after bomb release. The plane went into a flat spin before exploding in air then crashing near the beach. Fred and 3 others were killed in action. Only S/Sgt Andrew Whitworth engineer/gunner was able to escape the spinning plane by parachute. Rather miraculously the co-pilot 2nd Lt William Whitney, Jr. was blown clear of the plane when it exploded with his chute opening on its own. Both were captured by the Nazis and held as POW’s until the end of the war.

The full crew complement on this final mission as recorded in Missing Air Crew Report 4144 was as follows:
1st Lt Joseph Savko ASN: O-801964, (P) (New York), DED/KIA
2nd Lt William Edward Whitney, Jr (Co-P) (Washington) POW/RTD
S/Sgt Leslie Floyd Lampman, Jr ASN: 17003017 (Bombardier/Gunner) (Iowa), DED/KIA
S/Sgt Richard Eugene Whicker, ASN 35092648 (Radio/Gunner), (Indiana), DED/KIA
S/Sgt Andrew Brown Whitworth, ASN 12203866 (Eng/Gunner), New Jersey), POW/RTD
S/Sgt Fred Ernest Botti, ASN 33415315, (Tail Gunner), (Pennsylvania), DED/KIA

After the war, remains of Staff Sargent Botti were returned home for final interment. The funeral services held Sunday 8 January 1950 at the family home in Buffington, followed by additional services in St. Therese Roman Catholic church, Uniontown, with Rev. Father Ettore Moscoloni officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery under direction of the Dearth Funeral Home. Military rites graveside conducted by the American Legion Post 753, New Salem.

Fred was survived by his parents Jeanette and Albert Botti, two brothers Joseph and Albert Jr., and four sisters Mrs. Elizabeth Robert Moyre of Long Island, NY, Mrs. Florence Renato Porreca of Edenborn, and Cecelia, and Yolanda at home.

Staff Sargent Fred Ernest Botti returns home.
Newspaper source:
The Daily Courier Connellsville PA Friday, January 6, 1950.

Staff Sargent Fred Ernest Botti returns home.
Newspaper source:
The Morning Herald Uniontown PA Friday January 6, 1950.

Fred Ernest Botti Selective Service Card (Front)

Place of birth: Republic Pennsylvania