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name
PISCHKE, Robert Leroy - Date of
birth
10 December 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-771963 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
28 September 1944 - Place of
death
Linden, south of Wolfenbuttel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 3 | 27 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Otto P. Pischke (father)
Catherine M. Pischke (mother)
Eleanor Pischke (sister)
Richard O. Pischke (brother)
Emily B. (Brenner) Pischke (wife)
Robert L. Pischke Jr. (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38186 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 9407
More information
2nd Lt Robert L. Pischke graduated from Drexel University in 1943. He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 26 October 1942.The formation was victim of intense and severe attacks from enemy fighters.
The airplane was hit and the left wing caught fire between #1 and #2 engines. The ball turret was demolished. It seemed to be at least partially out of control as it pulled off to the right and went down in a steep dive and exploded.
The entire crew of nine men was killed.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.303rdbg.com, www.ancestry.com - Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Application Files / United States World War II Army Enlistment Records
Photo source: Michel Beckers. www.303rdbg.com, Matthew Lyons - Drexel University Archives