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name
ROSS, Robert Fred - Date of
birth
8 June 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio -
Hometown
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15103232 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
569th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 October 1943 - Place of
death
Quelkhorn, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 5 | 33 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Fred W. Ross (father)
Nettie Ross (mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30292 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Pulsatin' Polly
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the U-boat yards
MACR: 783
More information
S/Sgt Robert F. Ross graduated from West Technical High School and was employed at Cleveland Twist Drill Company.He volunteered for the Army of the United States at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, on 17 June 1942.
According to the right waist gunner, S/Sgt Harold T. Lambert, the airplane was hit by anti-aircraft fire about the time they reached the Initial Point. Two engines were afire and there was also fire in the accessory compartment and part of the oxygen system was disabled. Also, the radio room and the cockpit were hit, injuring both pilots. They were forced to leave the formation and were attacked by enemy fighters, causing further damage. The pilot, Lt Marshall Shepherd, gave the order to bail out, but he was never able to leave his seat himself. While the crew members were trying to leave the airplane, it blew up.
Four men survived and were taken prisoner, and six men were killed.
It was the 13th mission of this crew.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, The Plain Dealer 4 May 1945
Photo source: Jac Engels