FRANCIS A. FLOOD, JR., LTJG, USN
Francis Flood, Jr. '53
Lucky Bag
From the 1953 Lucky Bag:
FRANCIS ARTHUR FLOOD, JR.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Before making the long journey from Ottawa, Ontario, to Annapolis, Frank had to put wheels on his dog sled. Frank earned his stars for the distance, mastered advanced French and outwitted the system, but had his share of cross-country, steeplechase, and extra-duty. He managed youngster cruise with the greatest of ease, but stoutly denies that he ever tried to corner the market in Panamanian bananas or undersell the brew of the "One-eyed Indian". When last seen "Francois des grandes oreilles" was devising ways to add his two gold stars for academic prowess to the B.S.B. of a Naval aviator.
FRANCIS ARTHUR FLOOD, JR.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Before making the long journey from Ottawa, Ontario, to Annapolis, Frank had to put wheels on his dog sled. Frank earned his stars for the distance, mastered advanced French and outwitted the system, but had his share of cross-country, steeplechase, and extra-duty. He managed youngster cruise with the greatest of ease, but stoutly denies that he ever tried to corner the market in Panamanian bananas or undersell the brew of the "One-eyed Indian". When last seen "Francois des grandes oreilles" was devising ways to add his two gold stars for academic prowess to the B.S.B. of a Naval aviator.
Loss
Francis was killed on August 23, 1956 when his P-4M-1Q "Mercator" patrol bomber was shot down off the coast of Wenchai, China, by a Chinese MiG-17F. The crew of 16 were all lost. He was the aircraft's navigator and a member of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1, based in Japan. He had been with the squadron since 1954.
Other Information
The crew list from Navy CT History:
22 AUG 56 - P4M-1Q Mercator Buno 124362, staging from Iwakuni, Japan. Squadron VQ-1. Shot down off Wenchai, China.
Fatalities:
- Ltjg. James B. Deane,
- Ltjg. Francis A. Flood,Jr,
- Lcdr. Milton Hutchinson,
- Lcdr. JamesW.Ponsford,
- AT2 Donald Wayne Barber,
- AO2 Warren Edgar Caron,
- AT3 Jack Albert Curtis,
- AT1 William Frederick Haskins,
- AO3 William Michael Humbert,
- AD1 H.E. Lounsbury,
- AT1 Albert Perry Mattin,
- AT2 Carl Edwin Messinger,
- AE2 Wallace Powell,
- AT3 Donald Eugene Sprinkle,
- AT2 Leonard Strykowski,
- AD3 Lloyd Lewayne Young
There is some additional information at VP Navy.
He was survived by his wife, Dorothy Dickie of Canada.
Distinguished Flying Cross
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Francis Arthur Flood, Jr. (NSN: 0-569963), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight on the night of 23 August 1956. His devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: All Hands (October 1957)
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Memorial Hall Error
Francis is listed on the Killed In Action panel at the front of Memorial Hall under the "Korean War 1950-1953" heading. He wasn't killed in Korea, and the armistice was signed three years before his death.
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