Marvin H. Frish
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces

In June 1944, Staff Sergeant Marvin H. Frish was serving as a radio operator with the 759th Bomb Squadron, 459th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 304th Bombardment Wing, 15th Air Force, based at Giulia Airfield, Italy. The 459th Bombardment Group flew B-24 Liberator bombers on missions in Italy, France, the Balkans, Austria and Germany.

On 9 June 1944, SSGT Frish was the radio operator on B-24G Liberator bomber Serial Number 42-78177 named ‘Slightly Eager’ on a bombing mission at Munich, Germany. The aircraft had a crew of 10. According to the co-pilot, 2LT Bennie J. Nozicka, they had just sighted enemy fighter aircraft when they were shot down over Salsburg, Austria. Slightly Eager exploded and 2LT Nozica was blown clear and descended in his parachute. He later learned that 1LT Ferguson was either killed by the explosion or was unable to open his parachute. His body was identified on the ground by the bombardier, 2LT John W. Guinn, Jr.

Three crew members were killed in action; the 7 crew members who were able to bail out of the aircraft were taken prisoner and held in Stalag IV in Tychow, Poland. They were on the death march and were liberated at Fallinbostel, Germany, after the surrender in 1945.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Purple Heart
Air Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Forces Aircrew Badge

B-24G Liberator Bomber Serial Number 42-78177 named Slightly Eager had the following crew on 9 June 1944.

● Pilot: 1LT Edgar J. Ferguson [Honoree Record ID 308127] KIA
● Co-Pilot: 2LT Bennie J. Nozicka [Honoree Record ID 308128] POW
● Navigator: 2LT Charles R. Geiger [Honoree Record ID 308129] POW
● Bombardier: 2LT John W. Guinn, Jr. [Honoree Record ID 308130] POW
● Engineer/Gunner: SSGT Lyle E. Eberspecher [Honoree Record ID 308131] KIA
● Radio Operator: SSGT Marvin H. Frish [Honoree Record ID 108291] KIA
● Nose Turret: SGT John E. Boots [Honoree Record ID 308132] POW
● Waist Gunner: SGT Agustin E. Arroyo [Honoree Record ID 308133] POW
● Ball Turret Gunner: SGT Duane D. Herr [Honoree Record ID 308134] POW
● Tail Turret Gunner: SGT Roger A. Allen [Honoree Record ID308135] POW

Burial

[The information in this biography was derived primarily from various sections of the 459th Bombardment Group website at http://www.459bg.org/ and permission was granted for its use.]