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Personal info

Full name
HANSEN, Robert Nickerm
Date of birth
27 October 1915
Age
29
Place of birth
Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
Hometown
Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
Ethnicity
White

Military service

Service number
O-700609
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
700th Bombardment Squadron,
445th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
unknown
Date of death
28 September 1945
Place of death
2 km southwest of Richelsdorf, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
Tablets of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
George N. Hansen (father)
Mabel S. Hansen (mother)
Rose M. (Derrick) Hansen (wife)
Merrily Hansen (daughter)

Plane data

Serial number
42-95078
Data
Type: B-24H
Destination: Kassel, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Henschel aircraft plant
MACR: 9396

More information

After successfully dropping its bombs, the aircraft was on its return flight when its formation was attacked by numerous German fighter planes. During the ensuing air battle, this B-24 was badly damaged and several crew members were wounded. A fire started near the bomb bay and three crew members bailed out. These men survived and were taken prisoner. The remaining six crew members are believed to have gone down with the plane or were lost while attempting to bail out.

Lt Hansen was officially declared dead one day and one year after he was reported missing in action.

He is remembered at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.dpaa.mil, www.ancestry.com, www.nara.com, www.fold3.com

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com