Moses F Tate
Staff Sergeant Moses Frank Tate, born on May 22, 1920, in Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas, led a distinguished but tragically short military career during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 24, 1940, following in the footsteps of his father, a World War I veteran. Initially stationed at Fort Riley and later undergoing extensive training in the Air Corps, Moses quickly rose through the ranks to become a skilled aerial gunner.
By 1943, S/Sgt. Tate was serving in the 415th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group, part of the Ninth Air Force. His unit was pivotal in Operation Tidal Wave, a daring low-altitude bombing mission targeting the heavily defended oil refineries at Ploiești, Romania, on August 1, 1943. This mission aimed to cripple the Axis powers by striking a vital source of their oil supply, a goal critical to the Allied war effort.
The mission was fraught with peril, as the B-24 Liberators flew in at tree-top level to avoid radar detection but exposed themselves to intense anti-aircraft fire. Tate’s aircraft, the B-24D named “YEN TU,” piloted by 1st Lt. Edward T. McGuire, was hit by flak as it approached the target. Despite the damage, the crew pressed on to complete their bombing run. Tragically, after releasing their payload, the aircraft succumbed to its injuries, crashing near Barcanesti, Romania. Tate, along with six other crew members, was declared missing in action. He was only 23 years old.
The initial chaos and devastation of the crash led to S/Sgt. Tate being listed among the many missing. In the aftermath of the war, his remains were not immediately identified. For decades, his family held out hope, receiving medals and letters of commendation that recognized his bravery and sacrifice. These included the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart.
In 2017, efforts by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to identify unknown remains from the Ploiești raid bore fruit. Through advanced forensic methods, including anthropological and dental analysis, the remains of S/Sgt. Moses Frank Tate were positively identified on July 12, 2022. Nearly 80 years after his death, Tate was finally brought home.
S/Sgt. Tate’s name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery in Italy. Following his identification, a bronze rosette was added beside his name, signifying his return. He was laid to rest with full military honors at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, in Section M, Row 17, Site 709.
S/Sgt. Moses Frank Tate’s story is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation. His participation in one of the most challenging and critical missions of World War II, Operation Tidal Wave, underscores the significant risks faced by the Allied airmen. His posthumous return home serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring commitment to honor those who gave their lives in service to their country.
Sources:
- Find a Grave Memorials:
- Find a Grave Memorial 179942848: S/Sgt Moses Frank Tate
- Find a Grave Memorial 244713511: S/Sgt Moses Frank Tate
- Find a Grave Memorial 56366953: S/Sgt Moses Frank Tate
- Military Records:
- U.S. Army Service No. (ASN): #7060824
- Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) for B-24D “YEN TU” Serial Number 42-40520
- Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart awards
- Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA):
- Announcement of S/Sgt Moses F. Tate being accounted for on July 12, 2022
- Courier Tribune (Seneca, Kansas):
- 14 July 1940: Mention of Moses Tate joining the army
- 2 September 1940: Visit home from Fort Riley
- 26 December 1940: Spending Christmas with family
- 30 March 1942: Training in the air corps
- 7 May 1942: Report of Marvin Tate joining the Navy
- 6 August 1942: Updates on Moses and Marvin Tate’s service
- 17 December 1942: Letter from Marvin and updates on Moses
- 16 November 1942: Announcement of Moses Tate as an aerial gunner
- 20 May 1943: Family’s military history
- 2 September 1943: Marvin Tate’s V-Mail letter
- 27 September 1943: Recognition of Moses Tate’s service
- 9 December 1943: Parents receiving Distinguished Service medal
- 9 November 1944: Parents receiving Purple Heart
- 18 June 1945: Parents receiving pictures from Ploiești raid
- Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, NE):
- 4 January 1945: Report on the Ploiești oil raids and missing airmen
- Perplexity:
- Overview and details about Operation Tidal Wave
- Recovery and subsequent burial of S/Sgt Moses Tate’s remains
- US, WWII Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946:
- Enlistment details and service records of Moses F. Tate
The above was written by ChatGPT from the transcriptions of the various sources.