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name
RICHARDSON, Robert D - Date of
birth
10 January 1925 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Marion County, Indiana -
Hometown
Marion County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35892069 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
568th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
19 July 1944 - Place of
death
Haren, 8 km northeast of Brussels, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 32 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Nola D. Richardson (father)
Mildred R. (Smith) Richardson (mother)
Virginia Richardson (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30642 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Geronimo
Destination: Schweinfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 7555
More information
Sgt Robert D. Richardson graduated from Speedway High School and enlisted a day later in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 31 July 1943.Sgt Richardson was killed on his first combat mission.
At about 0845 hours at about 20,000 feet, near Aachen 5045N-0600E, A/C 642 peeled out of the formation and dropped behind. Pilot called out over VHF saying one engine out and was aborting, A/C fell behind group and last reported struggling near 5045N-0600E.
All crew members were killed.
Source of information: Luc van der Sterren, Erwin Derhaag, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.8thafhs.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - DonnaSEnff2009 Family Tree / 1940 Census, The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana)