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name
FITZGERALD, Robert J - Date of
birth
1922 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
unknown -
Hometown
Hudson County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12050975 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
557th Bombardment Squadron,
387th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
21 March 1945 - Place of
death
unknown
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| N | 3 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Marie F. Fitzgerald (sister)
Martha Fitzgerald (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-34218 -
Data
Type: B-26G
Destination: Coesveld, Germany
More information
T/Sgt Robert J. Fitzgerald enlisted in Newark, New Jersey on 3 February 1942.The aircraft was a lead pathfinder from the 1st Pathfinder Squadron 9th AF, for a formation of 387th BG Marauders. They where hit by flak in the vicinity of Lienen at about 18 km's south west from Osnabrück, Germany. The navigator compartment was hit, killing T/Sgt Fitzgerald instantly and wounding the navigator, 1st Lt D. Dale.
The pilot, 1st Lt R. W. Miller landed the aircraft at airfield B-86 in Helmond, The Netherlands to get medical assistance for the navigator. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and didn't fly again.
T/Sgt Fitzgerald was buried at the cemetery of Woensel-Eindhoven and reburied in a temporary grave at Margraten on 11 July 1945.
