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Personal info

Full name
STURN, Robert Arthur
Date of birth
30 March 1925
Age
19
Place of birth
Denver County, Colorado
Hometown
Los Angeles, California

Military service

Service number
T-134267
Rank
Flight Officer
Function
Bombardier
Unit
496th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
24 March 1945
Place of death
Near Colbe, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
A 23 22

Immediate family

Members
Robert B. Sturn (father)
Naomi M. (Coffey) Sturn (mother)
Violet B. Sturn (sister)
Carol C. Sturn (sister)
Donald M. Sturn (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
44-68101
Data
Type: B-26G-20-MA
Destination: Colbe, Germany
Mission: Not available
MACR: 13337

More information

Sgt Edward R. Wolcott:
Just as we reached the bomb line on the way to the target we encountered accurate heavy flak. I saw the aircraft piloted by Lt Ware just after it burst into flame. The aircraft was hit in the right engine and the right wing. The windshield of the pilot’s compartment was completely missing, the front of the aircraft was badly damaged. The right side of the aircraft was enveloped in flame. I saw the aircraft go into a spin and after it dropped about 3000 feet the right engine and the right wing broke off. All fire disappeared at that time. The aircraft continued to spin in. I did not see the aircraft crash. I did not see any chutes leave the aircraft.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Wills Family Tree / 1930 Census / Wood Helmer Family, www.fold3.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - MIW, www.wwiimemoria.com – Erma Huson / Diane Helmer Kunst, www.ancestry.com - MIW