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name
LEFTWICH, Robert Edward - Date of
birth
20 March 1918 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Burden, Cowley County, Kansas -
Hometown
Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
34771044 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
571st Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
30 November 1944 - Place of
death
Oberklobikau, 11 km west of Merseburg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 14 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Rush F. Leftwich (father)
Nellie E. (Bailiff) Leftwich (mother)
Arthur R. Leftwich (brother)
Marion H. Leftwich (brother)
Ralph L. Leftwich (brother)
Joseph H. Leftwich (brother)
Thomas J. Leftwich (brother)
Norma J. Leftwich (sister)
Mayzelle (Fields) Leftwich (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-8080 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: The Saint
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna Oil Plant
MACR: 11131
More information
T/Sgt Robert E. Leftwich was employed by Smith Dry Cleaners before he enlisted at Camp Croft, South Carolina, on 27 March 1943.The aircraft rammed A/C 42-97407 after it was hit by flak over the target at 1318 hours. The entire crew was killed.
It was T/Sgt Leftwich's 26th mission.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Erwin Derhaag, Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / Headstone and Interment Record / Family Trees, www.newspapers.com - Greensboro Daily News
Photo source: Jac Engels, Greensboro Daily News, N.C. - December 11, 1945, Raphaël Marchal, www.findagrave.com - Patootie / 390th.org website,