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name
HESS, Robert William - Date of
birth
12 September 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Ellisburg, Jefferson County, New York -
Hometown
Tully, Onondaga County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12099180 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
853rd Bombardment Squadron,
491st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
5 June 1944 - Place of
death
Boulogne, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Bailey O. Hess (father)
Jennie I. (Baker) Hess (mother)
Marjorie Hess (sister)
Margaret M. (Batt) Hess (wife)
Maureen Hess (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40243 -
Data
Type: B-24 J
Macr: 5633
Mission: Operational
More information
Sgt Robert W. Hess graduated from Tully Central High School in 1938.On aircraft M 44-40243 5 June 1944
I was flying with Lt Sharp on Aircraft F 44-40226 as left waist gunner. M 44-40243 was hit by flak just after we had passed the target. The plane appeared to blow up just before it hit land or water. I was at the left waist window and the plane was practically at a right angle when it exploded. The number 1 engine was feathered and gas was streaming out between number 1 and number 2 engines.
Two men seemed to have come out of the plane, but I saw one chute open.
- Warren H Rudolph
According to a newspaper article in the Watertown Daily Times of 2 April 1946, he was initially buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of St. André, France. We have no confirmation this information is correct.
Source of information:: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, NARA, Missing Aircrew Report 5633, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Watertown Daily Times - 2 April 1946