Press Release | Feb. 25, 2025

Pilot Accounted For From World War II (Johnstone, F.)

WASHINGTON  –  

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Frank A. Johnstone, killed during World War II, was accounted for Feb. 6, 2025.

In the winter of 1945, Johnstone was assigned to the 721st Bombardment Squadron, 450th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. On Feb. 25, he served as a navigator aboard a B-24J on a bombardment mission to Linz, Austria. During the mission, his aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed near Groβraming, Austria. Nine of the twelve crewmembers bailed out of the aircraft while the remaining three, including Johnstone, went down with the plane. His remains were not recovered after the war.

This is an initial release. The complete accounting of Johnstone’s case will be published once the family receives their full briefing.