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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 John J. Fitzgerald enlisted in the US Air Corps from Newark, New Jersey February 3, 1942 as a private.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 re-buried at Margraten July 11, 1945 at plot LL-5-125.
Crewmembers of this flight were:
Pilot 1st Lt R.W. Miller
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt T.D. Jones
Navigator 1st Lt D. Dale
Bombardier 1st Lt O.A. Madsen
Engineer/Gunner S/Sgt R.W. Bosley
Gunner S/Sgt A.C. Parent
Source of information: Antoine Scheijen, National Archives, ABMC, National Archives,
Photo source: Antoine Scheijen,