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name
HUHTALA, Robert James - Date of
birth
5 january 1924 -
Age
20 -
Place of birth
San Diego, San Diego County, California -
Hometown
Rocklin, Placer County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
19142210 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
338th Bombardment Squadron,
96th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
6 February 1944 - Place of
death
Pisseleux, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 40 | 30 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Henry Huhtala (father)
Nellie J. (Kobielski) Huhtala (mother)
Charles W. Hahtala (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-38015 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Romilly-sur-Seine, France
Mission: Bombing o the airfield
MACR: 2342
More information
Sgt Robert J. Huhtala was employed at the Southern Pacific Company before he volunteered for the Army of the United States in Sacramento, California on 4 November 1942.Enemy aircraft hit the gas tank in the left wing which blew up. The airplane then collided with a Fw-190 and crashed.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Champigneul, France.
The crew is remembered on a monument in Pisseleux.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Haver Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Garrett, https://b17flyingfortress.de/
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy / Clement Christophe, www.ancestry.com – Jeff Shonkwiler