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Submit- Full
name
BRUCE, Robert Vines - Date of
birth
8 May 1916 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina -
Hometown
Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-676546 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
427th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
9 October 1943 - Place of
death
The Baltic Sea, south of Lolland, Denmark
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 3 | 39 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Dr. Samuel G. Bruce (father)
Lourena V. (Hunnicutt) Bruce (mother)
Virginia K. Bruce (sister)
Dr. Leda M. E. Bruce (sister)
Dr. Julian Bruce (brother)
Dewey O. Bruce (brother)
Ruth Bruce (sister)
Dr. James W. Bruce (brother)
Francis H. Bruce (brother)
Sammie G. Bruce (sister)
T. C. Bruce (halfbrother)
Leda B. Bruce (halfsister)
J. L. Bruce (halfbrother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-5221 -
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Son
Destination: Anklam, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Arado/Heinkel aircraft component plant
MACR: 874
More information
The aircraft was last seen to be hit by 20 mm cannon fire from a formation of three FW-190s flying abreast. The approximate position was at the Danish coast at 8,000 feet altitude. The #3 engine was on fire and feathered. When the wheels were let down the fighter attacks ceased.The B-17 crashed into the Baltic Sea, south of Lolland, Denmark. The entire crew of ten men, who was on their fourth mission, was killed.
His remains washed ashore on the beach near Dazendorf, Germany. He was initially buried at the community cemetery of Heiligenhafen, Germany.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.303rdbg.com, WWIImemorial
Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.303rdbg.com, Arie-Jan van Hees, Class Book Bomb 43-05, Big Spring Flying School, Texas