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name
SALEDA, Robert L - Date of
birth
1922 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Illinois -
Hometown
LaSalle County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16019001 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
728th Bombardment Squadron,
452nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
9 April 1944 - Place of
death
Near Linnau, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 41 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Clement Saleda (father)
Florence J. Saleda (mother)
George C. Saleda (brother)
Francis Saleda (brother)
John W. Saleda (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-37941 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Lucky Lady
Destination: Posen
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 3784
More information
Following statement obtained by S-2 Section, 452nd Bomber Squadron, at interrogation after the mission.'Over the North Sea, aircraft 42-37941 started down with an engine afire. The pilot managed to get the fires out and the plane headed for home station under control.
The aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters and crashed near Linnau, 14 Km SW of Flensburg, Germany. S/Sgt John H, Kramer, 2nd Lt Perry J. Novelli and T/Sgt Robert L. Saleda were killed; the other seven crewmembers were taken Prisoner of War. T/Sgt Saleda bailed out but supposedly hit his head on the tail fin and was killed.
Source of information: Astrid van Erp, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, MACR, www.ancestry.com - 1930 Census
Photo source: Jac Engels, Chicago Tribune - 25 May 1944