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name
KAEMS, Robert Herman - Date of
birth
13 September 1924 -
Age
19 - Place of
birth
Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan -
Hometown
Jackson County, Michigan
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
36455734 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner -
Unit
567th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Missing in Action - Date of
death
29 May 1944 - Place of
death
North Sea
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes - Walls of the Missing
Immediate family
-
Members
Karl F. A. Kaems (father)
Lucille A. Kaems (mother)
Leo W. Kaems (brother)
Louis K. Kaems (brother)
Charles B. Kaems (brother)
Gerald Kaems (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-110074 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Satan's Mate
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
MACR: 5387
More information
Aircraft experienced oil leak in #2 engine that became worse over target. A/C’s No 3 engine lost its supercharger. A/C began to lose altitude and crew was ordered to bail out over the English Channel Pilot and copilot remained with A/C until the rest of the crew was out, and they then bailed out together. The Co-Pilot did not survive the jump. The Pilot was recovered by the Germans and sent to a POW camp. Only two other members of the crew survived and were fortunate to be picked up by Air-Sea Rescue. After recuperation they both resumed flying missions.S/Sgt Robert H. Kaems has bailed out, but drowned in the North Sea.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: www.findagrave.com