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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
Personal info
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