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Personal info

Full name
SPRUILL, Robert Bay
Date of birth
4 November 1917
Age
26
Place of birth
Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri
Hometown
Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Military service

Service number
14080837
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Nose Turret Gunner
Unit
714th Bombardment Squadron,
448th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
19 May 1944
Place of death
North of Helmstedt, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
B 31 22

Immediate family

Members
Raymond A. Spruill (father)
Alvena B. (Skarsjard) Spruill (mother)
Mabel E. Spruill (stepmother)

Plane data

Serial number
42-52638
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Skeeter II
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 5029

More information

Sgt Robert B. Spruill graduated from Albuquerque High School and attended University before he was employed by the Albuquerque Gas and Electric Company.

He first joined the Royal Canadian Air Force but volunteered for the Army of the United States in Camp Blanding, Florida, on 29 January 1942. He first served with ah tank unit but managed to be transferred ot the Air Corps. He was sent overseas in March 1944.

Statement from 1st Lt William F. Bonner:
"We were over the target when we were attacked by enemy aircraft. It was during the third wave of fighters that Aircraft # 42-52638 was seen to go down. Three chutes were seen by the tail gunner of my aircraft."

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Record / New Mexico, World War II Records / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com, www.newspapers.com - Albuquerque Journal, www.fold3.com - WWII Draft Card, www.findagrave.com

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, www.newspapers.com - Albuquerque Journal