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name
CANNON, Robert James - Date of
birth
16 January 1922 -
Age
23 -
Place of birth
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan -
Hometown
Wayne County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16085631 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Nose Turret Gunner -
Unit
564th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
9 March 1945 - Place of
death
Greven, north of Münster, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| L | 2 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harold T. Cannon (father)
Dorothy V. (McLaughlin) Cannon (mother)
Thomas H. Cannon (brother)
William Cannon (brother)
Jean Cannon (sister)
Joan M. Cannon (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-49382 -
Data
Type: B-24L
Destination: Münster, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 12959
More information
Robert J. Cannon attended collegeand was a machinist.He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Kalamazoo, Michigan on 26 August 1942.
Aircraft 44-49382 was leading the low left squadron. It suffered a direct flak hit when it was about 30 seconds over the target. An eyewitness report stated the aircraft banked, made two turns, and then nosed over. The wings blew off and the ship burst into flames. The tail gunner and mickey operator survived and were survived and were taken prisoner. The other 10 crew members were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1940 Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Linda Cannon Byrge (niece), Robert J. Cannon (nephew)