The Kintz Brothers of Downey High School, Downey, CA
Frank J. Kintz, Jr., born May 8, 1920 and Robert E. Kintz, born January 21, 1922, were brothers from Downey, California. With World War 2 on the horizon, both young men volunteered for the Army Air Corps. Frank enlisted on February 13, 1940 and was followed about five months later by Robert, who enlisted on June 23, 1940.
They were serving together in the Philippines, Frank with the 27th Materiel Squadron and Robert with the 17th Signal Platoon, when the islands were captured by the Japanese in 1942. Both men endured the dreadful Bataan Death March and were held captive at the infamous Carbanatuan Camp on Luzon. Sickness and starvation were rampant. On June 13, 1942, Robert succumbed to malaria, and 15 days later, on the 28th, his brother Frank died of the mix of malaria and dysentery.
Burials at the camp were haphazard at best and record-keeping almost non-existent. While the remains of Frank were found by the American Graves Registration Service after the War, no trace of the remains of Robert were ever located.
Frank Kintz is buried at the Fort McKinley Cemetery in Manila, where his brother, Robert Kintz, is listed on the Tablets of the Missing.
Below is a video of the CBS2 News story, featuring my research work with Principal Tom Houts of Downey High School.
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Hi Bill, Thanks for putting this together. My grand uncle, 2nd Lt. Robert L. Woolfolk attended UCLA and I believe he graduated in 1936. He was on the waterpolo team. He was a bombardier in the 571st Bomb Squadron, 390th Bomb Group and his aircraft "Decatur Deb" was shot down on May 28, 1944. He and six others perished while three were able bail out and became POWs. This is written up the in the book "Bloody Skies: U.S. Eighth Air Force Battle Damage in World War II." There is a B-17G tail gunner's compartment on display at the 390th Bomb Group Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to this crew. Regards, Nick VeronicoBill’s WW2 Almanac for January 21: Featuring Col. Randy’s Flying Circus
Hi! Randall Col Randy is actually my great grandfather and I was wandering if you ever new him? I am curious to know more about him.Women in WWII: Cornelia Clark Fort
Interesting....very hard to know the 'who hit who'.....Fort had enough flying time to be a instructor, I know nothing about the other pilot. If Pastor Jeff had information on her being talked into a situation, I would love to know if reliable. Regardless, so many losses in so many ways.... My take is the WAFS/WASPS deserve a bit more of history's 'time in the books'. Many thanks for the commentary, StarrRemembering the Fallen: WWII Veterans of UCLA, Major Robert C. Maze
Bill, Are you still working on this blog? Rosemarie is my mother in law. She passed away 10 years ago. Her (and Roberts') son Robert Maze Jr is alive and well. I was googling Admiral Radford and ended up googling links... Thank you for your efforts here. Kim WoodsFrom Panatella to Ploesti
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This is a wonderful gift to the students. Is there any plans to remember other veterans who have died in other wars? I wish they had this in a public area so that people who lived during that time could see it. I have friends who died in the Vietnam war, and Desert Storm. As far as I know there is nothing at their high schools remembering their sacrifice.
Hi Sharon:
I would contact the principal at Downey HS (Tom Houts) and ask him if you can visit the school.
Perhaps you can contact the school in which you’re interested and start the ball rolling there. Please let me know if I can be of any
further assistance.
Best, Bill
Bill, your short article on the Kintz brothers seems to contradict itself. You mention that Robert’s remains were never found but Frank’s were found and buried in Manila then you say that Robert was buried and Frank is on the list of missing.
Hi Jerry:
Sharp eyes!
Yes, Frank’s remains were recovered and are buried at the US Military Cemetery in Manila; the remains of Robert were never recovered.
Thanks for taking the time to point this out.
Best regards, Bill