Frank Harvey Blanck Jr.
Rank: Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class, U.S. Navy
Serial: 2440459
Unit: Naval Air Station Seattle
Entered service from: New Jersey
Died:
Burial: Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, NJ — Plot C O 78
Introduction
Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class Frank Harvey Blanck, Jr. was the son of Frank and Sarah Blanck. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 26, 1942, and was trained as an aerial gunner. He served in Florida and was later assigned to the Naval Air Station Seattle, where he was engaged in patrolling the Pacific Coast.
On May 14, 1943, a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, Bureau Number (BuNo) 33142, which operated out of NAS Seattle, crashed into Mount Rose in the Olympic National Forest in Washington State, roughly 40 miles west of Seattle. All five crew were killed: Lt. Byron L. Lough, ACM3C Roy Winston McAllister, Lt. William S. Sledge, AMM3C Frank H. Blanck, and ARM3C Robert S. Youngblood, Jr.
Frank Blanck was 19 at the time of his death. He was survived by his parents and two sisters. His body was returned to Berlin, NJ, with a Guard of Honor, and was given a Naval funeral with a firing squad and bugler from the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Interment was made in the National Cemetery at Beverly, NJ, on June 8, 1943.
Thanks to David Wright of Oaklyn, NJ, for his help in researching this page.
Photos
Frank Blanck's memorial marker in Berlin, NJ.
Lockheed manufactured the first PV-1 Venturas in 1941 for use in England. By mid-1942, the U.S. Navy needed its own land-based heavy bomber capable of flying long distances with heavy ordnance loads. The Navy ordered the manufacture of its own PV-1 Venturas, which had a range of 1,360 miles and could carry 3,000 pounds of bombs or anti-submarine depth charges. The PV-1 bomber, which also bore four guns, flew successful missions throughout the war. Lockheed PV-1 Ventura light bombers on mission to Borneo.