History Documented

Have you ever been to a cemetery near memorial day when American flags fill the landscape? Did you ever pass a grave marker and wonder what that person was like or how they died?

Roman “ Buddy” Frankowski was born January 27^th 1909. His parents were both born in Prussia (Germany/ Poland). Roman was born into a household of 11 other people and was to be the second youngest child of eleven. In This House.

His Father Thomas emigrated to Toledo,Ohio in 1880 with his brother Jakob. Thomas was an early settler of the Lagrange Street area, which was to become a Polish Village in time. The local newspaper labeled him a pioneer resident at his death in 1929.

Roman would attend Toledo Central Catholic High School and graduate in 1927.

Senior Photo:

By 1929 he was working for the Willys-Overland Co. that would end up producing the Willy’s Jeep during World War Two. Today it is known simply as Jeep.

He later became an employee of road maintenance department of the county Engineer’s office before his enlistment on March 28, 1942. He was also the former president of the Fourth Ward New Deal Democratic Club.

On March 28, 1942 Roman enlisted at Camp Perry near Lake Erie. He then was sent to Camp Hulen Texas.” By September 1940, five out of every ten anti- aircraft artillery units called into federal service would train at Camp Hulen.” (http://www.citybytheseamuseum.org/hulen.html)

Roman at Camp Hulen:

On June 23, 1942 the 692^nd CA( Coastal Artillery) Btry (AA) AW was activated at Camp Hulen. All the personal was obtained from the 435^th CA Bn Sep (AA). On June 27 the 692^nd moved by train to Ft. Bliss, Texas.

For the next month Roman and the other 74 enlisted men received intense airborne training, physical training, firing practice and instructions on allied subjects all in preparation for an early overseas movement.

On September 27^th the 692^nd was ordered to move to its new permanent station of Camp Pickett, Va.

From my records it is unclear when Roman and the 692^nd shipped out of the United States. From what little information I could find it seems he took part in “Operation Torch” in North Africa. From what I have read they landed in Morocco and immediately shot down 2 planes.

I did read a journal online ( below 0 that mentions the 692nd was near Gasfa, Tunisa on Jan. 16 1943.

http://www.historicaltextarchive.com/books.php?op=viewbook&bookid=22&cid=2

This makes sense considering this email that was sent to me:

Hello Chris,

Thanks for the clarification on the date. In January 1943 the 692nd AAAMG
Btry was stationed in Tunisia, North Africa. Pfc Frankowski was initially
buried in the military cemetery at Gafsa, Tunisia. Later his remains were
returned home to Ohio. The operations in Tunisia were all part of “Operation
Torch” the invasion of North Africa starting in November 1942. In the
January 1943 time period the Allies were attempting to complete the conquest
of Tunisia by defeating Rommel’s Africa Korps. The battles were fierce and
eventually Rommel prevailed. The Allied effort was concentrated in
attempting to capture and control the vital Medjerda valley region. German
defense proved superior and British and American forces were unable to
advance until later in April 1943.

This information provides a “big picture” view of the events in the North African Theater at the time. I’ll have to do some more research among someobscure sources to determine specific details about the unit. Ourcollections do not include unit historical materials on the 692nd AAAMGBtry.

Richard L. Baker, MA (MSgt, USAF ret.)
Technical Information Specialist, GS-9
Army Heritage and Education Center
U.S. Army Military History Institute (PSD)
950 Soldiers Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013

Well as it turns out Roman was killed on Jan. 16th 1943. He is believed to be the first Toledo, Ohioan killed in WW2 as far as I can find. If you look at the map you can see where Gasfa is located… in the same place the 1st Infantry located. So considering the online journal, I would think it is fair to say we know the vicinity but not how he died.

Obit:

Roman S. FRANKOWSKI “Buddy” was born on 27 Jan 1909 in Toledo, OH. He died on 16 Jan 1943 in Tunisia, Africa. He was buried in Toledo, OH / Calvary Cemetery.

Obituary from the 03 Jun 1948 Toledo Blade newspaper:

The body of Pfc. Roman S. Frankowski, believed to be the first Toledo soldier killed in the North African campaign, arrived in Toledo today. Services and burial will be Saturday. Private Frankowski, 33, was killed Jan. 16, 1943 in the battle for Tunisia. Post 5530, Veterans of Foreign Wars subsequently was named in his honor. Private Frankowski lived at 322 Everett St.

VFW Post 5530 on E. Central was named in Roman’s honor. Time has past, and like many people, place and things have been forgotten. This is just my way of Giving Toledo a little bit of pride back. A forgotten hero like so many other men lost in memories as a generation fades away.

His picture That hangs at Roman “Buddy” Frankowski Post 5530