Frederick W. Tod

1st Lieutenant Frederick W. Tod
713th Bomb Squadron, 448th Bomb Group
KIA March 25, 1945

B-24J, #44-10517, "Eager One"

While on a bombing mission to Buchen, Germany, 1st LT Tod's aircraft was severely damaged by 4 ME262 jet aircraft. Unable to return to England due to the extensive damage, Tod attempted to fly his aircraft to neutral Sweden on three engines. Within a mile of the Swedish coast another engine failed and the remaining two began to run wild. Rather than fly overland with the possibility of the aircraft hitting a populated area, Tod maneuvered the aircraft along the coast, holding the plane in the air while his crew bailed out. Unable to stay in the air any longer, the B-24 spun into the sea off Falsterbo.

Tod was initially reported as missing in action, until his remains washed up on shore 51 days later. He was initially buried with full military honors in Malmo, Sweden. His remains were later permanently interred in Luxembourg American Cemetery in Hamm. Luxembourg. Tod was from Long Beach, California.

	Tod's posthumously awarded Silver Star, Air Medal, and Purple Heart
	Tod's A-11 hack watch and pilot's wings
	24 photos of Tod's funeral in Malmo, Sweden
	"Echelon," Minter Field Basic Flying School Class 44-D yearbook, with photo of Tod.
	"First Call" yearbook, 1943, from the 311th College Training Detachment, College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho, with Tod pictured.
	"Wind Drift" Class 44-D yearbook, Clairborne Flight Academy, Wickenburg, Arizona, with Tod pictured
	Copy of Tod's Silver star citation
	July 4, 1945 condolence letter to Tod's mother signed by Hap Arnold.
	April 13, 1945 J.A. Ulio letter to Tod's mother regarding his missing in action status.
	June 19, 1945 Henry L Stimson condolence letter.
	May 29, 1945 letter from CO of the 448th Bomb group to Tod's father, Captain E.W. Tod, who served as Naval Aide to the Governor of Hawaii.
	May 15, 1945 letter from J.A. Ulio to Tod's wife confirming that he was indeed a KIA.
	Letter from the Military Air Attaché from the US Legation to Sweden, addressed to Tod's mother, which describes an "aerial funeral" conducted by his fellow crewmembers, with photos that were enclosed. The aircraft shown in the photos was B-24J serial number 42-51523, (Joker II) which was flown by the 329th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group and was interned in Sweden on January 17, 1945. The "stars and bars" have been painted over.
	April 2, 1945 letter from J.A. Ulio to Tod's mother confirming his MIA status
	May 14, 1945 letter from J.A. Ulio to Tod's mother confirming his KIA status
	Photo and documents relating to the award of Tod's Air Medal to his mother.
	Five letters regarding the disposition of Tod's remains and his final burial at Luxembourg American Cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg.
	Transmittal document for Tod's Purple Heart
	Three different pamphlets regarding American cemeteries in Europe
	July 5, 1945 letter from War Department to the Bank of America confirming Tod's KIA status
	April 9, 1945 condolence letter from the editor of the Long Beach Press-Telegram newspaper to Tod's mother.
	Letter from Kansas City Quartermaster Depot to Tod's mother notifying her of receipt of personal property.
	George C. Marshall condolence card.
	MIA and KIA telegrams sent to Tod's mother.
	Various newspaper clippings about Tod
	Nine page letter with hand drawn map from Tod's waist gunner describing the actions of March 25 where Tod was KIA.
	Tod's Purple Heart Certificate and Presidential Accolade, with original mailing tube