Francis Hopkins Dresser and Family
Major Francis H. Dresser
(Source: Manhattan Mercury Chronicle
September 5, 1944, p. 3)
(Source: Manhattan Mercury Chronicle
September 5, 1944, p. 3)
Francis Hopkins Dresser was born July 4, 1914, the son of Leonard Dresser and Anna May Kircher in Manhattan, (Riley County), Kansas.(1) He had four other siblings: Florence A., Edward Fillmore, Lenora, and Robert.(2) Francis attended the Twin Mound School district riding a horse to get there from his family's home. He then attended Manhattan High School graduating after four years. While in high school, Francis was active in many organizations including chorus, the track team, and football. His senior year he was a yell leader and performed in the chorus with the music department's presentation, H.M. S. Pinafore.(3) According to a relative, Robert E. Dresser, Francis worked hard and bought a motor cycle that he loved to ride. Francis wanted to first go into the Navy but was unable to. His dream was to see the world and fly the 'big airplanes.' (4)
Dresser and the 490th
Photo of a plane
from 849 Squadron 490th Bomber Group
(Note: This is not Dresser's plane)
from 849 Squadron 490th Bomber Group
(Note: This is not Dresser's plane)
Francis H. Dresser enlisted as a private October 8, 1940 at Fort Riley in the Army Air Corps as a pilot. His enlistment paper showed that he was 5 foot 7 inches and weighted 131 pounds.(5) He had prior to enlistment worked as a banker or financial clerk.(6) He was later commissioned a Second Lieutenant at Maxwell Field in 1941.(7) In 1943 he was stationed at Tuscon, Arizona and two years before that in Panama and South America. July 1944, Dresser was transferred to England. In the month before his death he participated in a course "designed to bridge the gap between training and soldiering in an active theater of war." (8) Major Francis served in the 849th Bomber Squadron of the 490th Bomber Group. He was reported missing September 1st over France. He was a pilot on the Flying Fortress.(9)
The 490th Bomber Group
490th Morale Emblem
The 490th Bombardment Group was established September 14, 1943 moving to England in 1944. Their primary duty in Normandy was bombing airfields and German defenses prior to and after D Day. There were four squadrons: 848th, 849th (Dresser's unit), 850th, and 851st based out of Eye Field, England. The 490th was commanded by Col. Lloyd H. Watnee during the D Day invasion and later by Col. Frank P. Bostrom.(10)
Manhattan Mercury Chronicle Article, September 21, 1944-Dresser Is Missing
Dresser is Missing. Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Dresser, Route 4, were notified Monday by the War department that their son, Major Francis H. Dresser was missing in action since September 1 over France. Major Dresser was a pilot on a Flying Fortress. He is a brother of Mrs. C. J. Carlson, route 5, Mrs. Orville Livingston, 1125 Poyntz, and T-S Edward F. Dresser who has been overseas in Africa and India two years and four months. Major Dresser went into service in October 1940. A third brother, Robert Dresser, lives on the farm one route 4 with the parents. (11)
(Note: Frances Dresser died September 1, 1944 and is buried in the American Cemetery at Normandy, France.)
(Note: Frances Dresser died September 1, 1944 and is buried in the American Cemetery at Normandy, France.)
Sources: 1. Robert E. Dresser, Letter to Author. 25 August 2011.
2. 1930 Federal Census and 1925 Kansas Census
3. Manhattan High School Annual 1931 and Manhattan High School Mentor October 3, 1931.
4. Dresser
5. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 <http://ancestry.com>
6. Manhattan Mercury Chronicle, Sept. 5, 1944 p. 3
7. "This Week: Honoring Men In Service," Manhattan Mercury Chronicle Sept. 17, 1944 p. 6
8. American Battle Monuments Commission, Normandy American Cemetery. <http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/no.php
9. "Dresser is Missing." Manhattan Mercury Chronicle. Sept. 21, 1944 p.6.
10. "490th Bombardment Group," Eighth Air Force Historical Society. <http://www.thafhs.org/bomber/490bg.htm> 2011.
11. "Dresser is Missing"
2. 1930 Federal Census and 1925 Kansas Census
3. Manhattan High School Annual 1931 and Manhattan High School Mentor October 3, 1931.
4. Dresser
5. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 <http://ancestry.com>
6. Manhattan Mercury Chronicle, Sept. 5, 1944 p. 3
7. "This Week: Honoring Men In Service," Manhattan Mercury Chronicle Sept. 17, 1944 p. 6
8. American Battle Monuments Commission, Normandy American Cemetery. <http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/no.php
9. "Dresser is Missing." Manhattan Mercury Chronicle. Sept. 21, 1944 p.6.
10. "490th Bombardment Group," Eighth Air Force Historical Society. <http://www.thafhs.org/bomber/490bg.htm> 2011.
11. "Dresser is Missing"