BORCHERS, Frank D. c1908-1941

BORCHERS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/23/2009 at 17:33:06

FRANK D. BORCHERS, 33,
KILLED DURING JAP ATTACK

Was Stationed at Clark Field, as
a Plane Mechanic with the
30th Bomber Squadron

Frank D. Borchers, 33, a former Nashuan, was killed in action, during the treacherous Japanese attack on the Philippine Islands, on Sunday, Dec. 7th.

Word of his death was received in a cablegram from the war department by his father, D. H. Borchers of Charles City, Saturday night.

The text of the message received by Mr. Borchers follows: "The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son, Frank D. Borchers, was killed in action in defense of his country in the Philippine Islands, Dec. 7. Delay in reporting fact to you is caused by communications difficulties.

No remains can be transported to the United States until after termination of hostilities, when the quartermaster general, Washington, D. C., will, if possible upon written request of the next of kin, bring the remains to the United States for final interment."

Frank grew up in the community northwest of Nashua, where his parents lived on a farm, and attended Nashua high school, from where he was graduated with the class of 1927.

He later moved to Charles City with his father, and was employed in the Oliver Tractor factory there before joining the Army Air Corps about two years ago. His father is employed in the Bim Castle Smoke Shop in Charles City.

Before going to the Philippines last October, he was stationed for some time at the Army Air field at Albuquerque, New Mexico.

At the time of his death he was a first class airplane mechanic with the 30th Bomber Squadron at Clark Field, located in the Philippine Islands about 40 miles north of Manilla.

Frank's mother died a number of years ago. He had no brothers or sisters.

The newspaper article contained a picture with this caption: "Frank Borchers, former Nashuan, who was killed in action in the Philippines, is pictured above with his father, "Dick" Borchers, of Charles City."

[Nashua Reporter; 24 December 1941]