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name
GUNSON, Robert Frances - Date of
birth
10 October 1920 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
New Jersey -
Hometown
Camden County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32078273 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Ball Turret Gunner -
Unit
365th Bombardment Squadron,
305th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
22 Juni 1943 - Place of
death
5 km south of Valburg, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| I | 21 | 5 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas G. Gunson (father)
Margeret V. (Joyce) Gunson (mother)
John J. Gunson (brother)
Thomas E. Gunson (brother)
Richard A. Gunson (brother)
Paul D. Gunson (brother)
Marjorie M Gunson (sister)
Elizabeth Gunson (sister)
Sarah Gunson (wife)
James Gunson (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
41-24533 -
Data
Type: B-17F-20-BO
Nickname: Boom Town
Destination: Hüls, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Zeche Auguste Viktoria synthetic rubber plant
MACR: 16205
More information
Sgt Robert F. Gunson worked as an elevator constructor.He enlisted in Camden, New Jersey on 5 August 1943.
Statement form 2nd Lt Walter E. Allen, one of the surviving crew members:
"After trouble began over target we were constantly under enemy attack until we went down. Shortly before the finish several voices were heard to come over the interphone. Proof that the interphone was not out was that a few voices still came over. Twenty millimeter shells burst within 2 yards of me twice. Since the nose was not attacked as severly as the fuselage because nose guns were very active, but ball turret was out. It is logical to believe that many shells hit within the fuselage in the period of 25 minutes of contant attack. Ball Turret operator S/Sgt Gunson, Co-Pilot 1st Lt Grose, Radio Operator T/Sgt Kanetzky and Waist Gunner were all still in the A/C when it struck the ground."
The airplane exploded in the air. Four crew members were killed in the plane, two died on the ground and four were taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.findagrave.com, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.ancestry.com - R Steve G