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Personal info

Full name
BURGESS, Robert E "Bob"
Date of birth
27 June 1915
Age
28
Place of birth
Utah
Hometown
Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Military service

Service number
O-752603
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
734th Bombardment Squadron,
453rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
20 February 1944
Place of death
Near Göttingen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 19 6

Immediate family

Members
Delbert G. Burgess (father)
Maryann (Paulsen) Burgess (mother)
Eva Burgess (sister)
Paul Burgess (brother)
Ada Burgess (sister)
Stanley D. Burgess (brother)
Verle (Poulson) Burgess (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-52139
Data
Type: B-24H
Deatination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Muhlenbau und Industrie Aktiengesellschaft (MIAG) aviation industry
MACR: 2780

More information

2nd Lt Robert E. Burgess graduated from Utah State University and was an economist with the Soil Conservation Service in Albuquerque from 1938 until he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Santa Fe, New Mexico on 15 August 1942.

According to witness statements of other crews, the airplane was seen on fire and blew up, some 10 miles after the target was bombed.

According to a surviving crew member, T/Sgt Robert L. Golen, there was a fire in de bomb bay.

Six crew members survived and were taken prisoner. Four were killed.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.findagrave.com - Vicki Phoenix, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1920 Census, New Mexico State Record Center & Archives

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Arie-Jan van Hees, Bombardier Class Book 43-11, Victorville Army Air Field, California, New Mexico State Record Center & Archives