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Personal info

Full name
ARHART, Robert William
Date of birth
22 January 1918
Age
26
Place of birth
Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota
Hometown
Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota

Military service

Service number
17017012
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Top Turret Gunner
Unit
85th Bombardment Squadron,
47th Bombardment Group, Light
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
29 June 1944
Place of death
Arezzo, Italy

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
G 4 20

Immediate family

Members
Charles W. Arhart (father)
Emma L. (Shaver) Arhart (mother)
Norman F. Arhart (brother)
Grant E. Arthart (brother)
Russell G. Arhart (brother)
Wendell C. Arhart (brother)
Willis C. Arhart (brother)
Margery E. Arhart (sister)
Marguerite A. Arhart (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
43-22097
Data
Type: A-20J
Destination: Arezzo, Italy
Mission: Bombing of tha railroad train
MACR: 6463

More information

Robert Arhart joined the Regular Army on 1 November 1940.

According to eye witness statements of crew members of other aircraft in the group, this A-20 was hit by flak in the vicinity of the target.

Two crew members bailed out and survived. Only S/Sgt Arhart was killed.

S/Sgt Arhart was initially buried at the Temporary American Cemetery of Vada, Italy. At the request of his family, he was disinterred and was given his final resting place next to his brother Wendell C. Arhart on 19 November 1948.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Carla Mans, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - The Bismarck Tribune 30 March 1945, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, IDPF

Photo source: Jac Engels, www.ancestry.com - Fargo Central High School Yearbook 1937