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name
MC LAIN, Robert Webster - Date of
birth
19 August 1923 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Madison County, Indiana -
Hometown
Madison County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15102881 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
366th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 August 1943 - Place of
death
Wegnez, 3 miles west of Verviers, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 5 | 40 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harrison J. Mc Lain (father)
Verne Mc Lain (mother)
James E. Mc Lain (brother)
Mary L. Mc Lain (sister)
Daniel Mc Lain (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30159 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickmame: Sitting Bull
Destination: Schweinfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Kugelfisher ball bearing factory
MACR: 301
More information
S/Sgt Robert W. Mc Lain volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on 6 June 1942 after graduation from Anderson High School in 1941. In high school he participated in the band as well as track and cross country sports.Flak had caused fire in the right wing. The #2 propeller broke off and the #3 propeller had to be feathered. Also the #4 propeller was damaged.
Eight crew members bailed out and were taken prisoner. two men were killed.
S/Sgt Mc Lain was hit in the head and upper part of his body and was brought to the waist of the airplane by other crew members for first aid. His remains were later found in the wreckage of the plane.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, Kathy McDermott, www.wwiimemorial.com www.fold3.com - MACR, Madison County Historical Society Suzy Chambers Emilie Isenhour, www.ancestry.com - Headstone Inscription and Interment Record / 1930 Census
Photo source: Alain Rosseels, Madison County Historical Society Anderson Herald 21 Sept 1943 Anderson Indian Annual 1941, www.findagrave.com