Frank “Big Frank” Valesh History

 by Les and Delores Valesh Lautman
(“Big Frank’s” sister and brother-in-law)

Frank Valesh Crew
100th BG Photo Archives

HEADQUARTERS 3RD BOMBARDMENT DIVISION
APO 559
26 MAY l944
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 147
CITATION

The following listed members of an aircraft maintenance crew of the 351st Bombardment Squadron (H), 100th Bombardment Group (H), are cited for meritorious conduct and outstanding service in the maintenance of B-17 aircraft “42-3234, #42-31035/ #42-39867 and #42-31767, from the period 4 July 1943 to 11 May l944. During that period, the four aircraft completed fifty-six (56) consecutive high altitude bombing operations without having to return because of mechanical difficulty or failure. This record was accomplished through the extraordinary diligent and painstaking care with which these men performed their maintenance and repair work. Battle damage sustained by the aircraft required the replacement of three outer wing panels and three engines: stabilizer, rudder and aileron changes, besides the constant preventive maintenance demanded for continued safe flight. Work had to be done out of doors, often at night, and in bad weather, The devoted attention to detail shown by these enlisted men has enabled their crews to go into battle with the fullest confidence in their aircraft. The high degree of skill and unwavering devotion to duty displayed by this crew reflect highest credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.

By command of Major General LE MAY:
A. W. KISSNER
Brigadier General, U.S.A.
Chief of Staff

O. T. DRAEWELL
Major, Air Corps
Adjutant General

Distribution: Special Awards

42-3234 “Little Mike” Salvaged 10-10-43
42-31035 “Hang The Expense Salvaged 11-29-43
42-39867 “Hang The Expense IV” RZI June 45*
42 31767 “Our Gal Sal” RZI May 45
*Later renamed Boeing Belle with Louis Montgomery as crew Chief. RZ1 – Returned to Zone of Interior (U.S.)

351ST SQDN.. Crew, as above, joined the 100th on 14 Oct 43. See photo p. 213 of CONTRAILS. Planes were all named HANG THE EXPENSE. See MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY p.308/311.

Zetlan killed in takeoff crash with another crew. Roy Urich was blown from the A/C on the Frankfurt mission and became a POW. the entire tail of the A/C was blown off by a direct hit by a 88mm shell. That Urich survivied was a miracle. see STORY of the CENTURY and CENTURY BOMBERS.

This is one of the legendary crews of the 100th, Frank “BIG FRANK” Valesh is a larger than life figure in the 100th’s history. He died in 1984 and is mourned by all 100th veterans.

CAPT BILL CARLETON’S MAINT RECORDS FOR A/C FLOWN BY LT F.E. “BIG FRANK” VALESH:

26 NOV 43, 42-31035: CRASHED ON TAKE-OFF INTO DRAPPERS BARN-NO ONE HURT-ONE BULL KILLED-AIRCRAFT TOTALLED.

30 DEC 43, 42-39867: CRASH LANDED WITH SEVERE BATTLE DAMAGE AT AN R.A.F. FIGHTER STRIP AT LYMPE, KENT, ENGLAND

4 JAN 44, 42-3271: CRASH LANDED WITH BATTLE DAMAGE AT LECONFIELD, ENGLAND

24 JAN 44, 42-39867: CRASH LANDED WITH TAIL SEVERELY DAMAGED. ROY URICK, TAIL GUNNER BLOWN OUT OF AIRCRAFT BUT SURVIVED.  TAIL SECTION REPLACED AND PLANE RETURNED TO THORPE ABBOTTS AND RENAMED “BOEING BELLE.”  RETURNED TO THE U.S. JUNE 1945 AFTER COMPLETING 135 MISSIONS.

21 FEB 44, 42-31767:  THE MISSION TO ALHORN AND VORDAN WAS THE CREWS LAST MISSION IN THE 351ST SQUADRON 100TH BOMB GROUP.  THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TO PFF OF THE 482ND GROUP.  THE PLANE WAS REASSIGNED AND RENAMED “OUR GAL SAL.”  IT COMPLETED MORE THAN 130 MISSIONS AND RETURNED TO THE US, MAY 1945.

19 MAY 44, 42-97560:  CRASHED ON LANDING ON THE SHORT RUNWAY AT THORPE ABBOTTS IN MORNING DARKNESS.  PLANE SALVAGED FOR PARTS.

21 JUN 44, UNKNOWN:  BATTLE DAMAGE-BROUGHT IN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT SEETHING, ENGLAND.

LATE JULY, 1944 TOUR COMPLETED AND CREW RETURNED TO U.S.

FRANK VALESH, KNOWN TO MOST 100TH VETERANS AS “BIG FRANK,” IS A LARGER THAN LIFE FIGURE IN THE HISTORY OF THE 100TH.  UNIVERSALLY ADMIRED BY THE 100TH, HE WAS  ACCORDING TO  CAPT BILL CARLETON, 351ST ENGINEER OFFICER AND FRIEND OF VALESH, “A MAN WHO LIVED EVERY SECOND OF LIFE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT. “OFTEN CALLED THE 100TH’S MOST EXHILARATING PILOT HIS DEATH IN 1984 IS DEEPLY MOURNED BY THE 100TH VETERANS, RECALLING HIM BRINGS WARM MEMORIES.  “BIG FRANK” WOULD HAVE WANTED IT SO.

Frank Valesh
100th BG Photo Archives

FRANK “BIG FRANK” VALESH CHRONOLOGY:

Decorations:
Air Medal w/4 Oak Leaf Clusters
EAME Theatre Ribbonw/3Bronze Stars
DFC Presidents Citation w/2OLC

Note: DATE
1. When the source shown is a “C-” number only it indicates the date of a letter which was actual date of the event.
2. If the event starts with “At” a letter is the source and the date lags.
3. All mission dates are from Dick Johnson’s log and can be presumed accurate.
4. Items with a source shown as “A” can be assumed accurate.

Note: SOURCE
A = Army record in Valesh file.
J-2 = Dick Johnson’s log-2nd writing.
B-1 = Mighty 8th War Diary.
J-3 = Johnsons letter 9 Jun 93.

Note: CATEGORY
P = Primary information item as selected by DVL.

Note: GRADUATION — JUNE 43
Letter written before July 4. Navigator mentioned either is not JRJ or J-2 is in error about 10 July arrival. See next item down, this page. Requisitioned JRJ 6 Nov 93 and he is sure he” was the only Navigator assigned ..until Franklin was assigned as DR Navigator after thev ioined PFF.

Notes: GENERAL
C = Letter from Frank.
Departed US from Bangor, ME on 5 Sep 43
M13/14-Frank Gregory flew as bombardier
15 Feb. 44–Tail gunner Szekley flew several missions but was not assigned to the crew. See JRJ letter of 6 Nov.
Paul West data indicates this crash (19-May-44) was in HE#4

LORDIE VALESH LAUTMAN, as mentioned in the previous issue, inherited the papers of her brother, FRANK VALESH, and is writing a book about him. Thanks to DICK JOHNSON’s persuasion, Lordie decided to share one of Frank’s poems which their mother saved with his letters. Here is an excerpt from his poem about the whiskey cure for frostbite, insomnia, and nerves:

Back at the base, props in low pitch,
LAND, see S-2, that son of a bitch.
A quick bite to eat, then up to the bar.

But fifteen boys can’t say, ‘Here we are.’ Just have
a quick drink; don’t look blue.
Just curse everyone for the dough he owes you.

Your hand shakes a little as you throw her down neat.
You know the law of averages wasn’t made to be beat. You’re next
and you know it; the thought comes to you: ‘I’ll quit, I can’t take it
after what I’ve been through. ‘

And you feel a little guilty as if the boys could read your mind,
So you grin and have another drink – you’re drinking with your kind.