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Personal info

Full name
FOLSOM, Robert Hilton "Buck"
Date of birth
6 March 1916
Age
28
Place of birth
Ellenton, Colquitt County, Georgia
Hometown
Ellenton, Colquitt County, Georgia

Military service

Service number
7001301
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Tail Gunner
Unit
494th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
2 March 1945
Place of death
Dutenhofen near Wetzlar, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
A 15 30

Immediate family

Members
Randall G. Folsom (father)
Elizabeth R. Folsom (mother)
Frellie F. Folsom (sister)
Edna M. Folsom (wife)
Patricia F. (McKee) Folsom (daughter)

Plane data

Serial number
42-95933
Data
Type: B-26-50
Destination: Giesen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of an ordnance depot
MACR: 12838

More information

Robert Folsom attended college before he joined the Regular Army at Pope Field, North Carolina on 9 November 1939.

Several crews of the Group reported that the Pathfinder aircraft was attacked by enemy aircraft in the vicinity of the primary target (Giessen). The left engine was on fire after the attack but the fire was believed to have gone out although the engine continued to smoke. Three crews believe the aircraft was escorted by two P-38's to the bomb line where last seen. Another crew reports that the aircraft was losing altitude rapidly and was very low when last seen.

All crew members bailed out when the left engine was lost. Four crew members where taken prisoner.

Robert H. Folsom, Wendell L. Hoenshel and Henry M. Isenberg also parachuted to safety but were beaten and then shot by three Germans. One was a policeman by the name of Engel. The two other where civilians, names Otto Lechens and William Lang. They were initially buried at a cemetery in Langgöns, Germany.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, NARA, www.wwiimemorial.com

Photo source: Shirley Lindsey, www.fold3.com