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Personal info

Full name
STARKS, Robert F
Date of birth
1921
Age
unknown
Place of birth
Ohio
Hometown
Tallmadge, Summit County, Ohio

Military service

Service number
O-804755
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
571st Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
6 March 1944
Place of death
Two miles southwest of Hemmelte-Lastrup, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 11 13

Immediate family

Members
Karl H. Starks (father)
Zelma E. (Johnson) Starks (mother)
Karl Starks (brother)
Marjorie Starks (sister)
June Starks (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-31935
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Starks Ark
Destination: Berlin, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 2889

More information

1st Lt Robert F. Starks joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army at Fort Hayes, Ohio.

At 1200 hours the group was attacked by fighters in the vicinity of Diepholz Airdrome. The #2 engine and right wing of this airplane was on fire. It peeled out of formation to the left and dropped below formation. When it was last seen it was under control but losing altitude. Nine parachutes were seen.

Lt Starks bailed out and was falling with clothing and parachute ablaze.

Three crew members were killed, and seven men were taken prisoner.

He was initially buried at the cemetery of Hemelte, Germany.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial, Archives, Fold3, Ancestry - 1930/1950 Census, 8thAFHS, www.newspapers.com - The Akron Beacon Journal

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Arie-Jan van Hees - Bombardier Class Book 43-0, Victorville Army Air Field, California, www.ancestry.com - Samantha Noyes