HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The Hill Aerospace Museum became a place of solemn remembrance July 8, as it hosted a memorial service for 1st Lt. George F. “Frankie” Wilson, a Utah native and World War II hero whose remains were recently returned home after more than eight decades.
Family members, military personnel and civilians gathered beneath the museum’s towering aircraft displays to honor Wilson, a Utah pilot whose B-17 bomber was shot down in 1944 over France during a critical mission to destroy enemy rocket production facilities.
Despite sustaining severe injuries, Wilson displayed extraordinary courage—steering his burning aircraft away from fellow bombers and a nearby village, saving countless lives. In a final act of selflessness, he gave his parachute to a crew member whose own had been lost, sacrificing his chance to escape.
Master Sgt. Erik Bornemeier, Wilson’s great-nephew-in-law, led the effort to locate and identify Wilson’s remains, traveling to France and interviewing witnesses. His dedication culminated in the return of Wilson’s remains and the long-awaited homecoming.
“Today’s memorial serves as a testament to the effectiveness of enlisted force structure, to the power and bond of family, and to love of our country and freedom and the opportunities they provide,” Bornemeier said.
Wilson was later laid to rest in Bountiful City Cemetery, beside his parents, completing a journey that began in war and ended in peace.