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name
RICHARDS, Robert - Date of
birth
unknown -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
unknown -
Hometown
South Whitley, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
6564934 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Right Waist Gunner -
Unit
854th Bombardment Squadron,
491st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
26 November 1944 - Place of
death
Dankersen, 3 km east of Minden
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 20 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Effie B. Mink (foster mother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-40172 -
Data
Type: B-24 J
Nickname: Grease Ball
Destination: Misburg, Germany
Mission: Aerial Combat
Macr: 11157
More information
S/Sgt Robert Richards attended South Whitley High School for three years.Airplane was attacked by German fighter planes and received a large number of hits with explosive cannon shells. All forms of inter-communication were shot out as was alarm bell. It was impossible to move about in aircraft because of an uncontrolable fire in the bomb bay. Sgt Remberger and Sgt Duncan were on the flight deck and were killed by enemy fire. The exact fate of Sgt Raybould, Sgt Burnett, Sgt Richards, Sgt Martin and Lt Tolin is unknown but the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned the above named were all killed either by the fire of the German fighter planes or the explosion of the aircraft.
- Charles M. Scott, First Lieutenant Air Corps
The picture was taken in high school in 1934.
Source of information:: Terry Hirsch, WWIIMemorial.com, Missing Aircrew Report 11157
Photo source: FOHF, South Whitley High School 1934