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Personal info

Full name
VOELKER, Robert Taylor "Polly"
Date of birth
17 May 1916
Age
27
Place of birth
Harrison, Hudson County, New Jersey
Hometown
Passaic County, New Jersey

Military service

Service number
O-800614
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
97th Fighter Squadron,
82nd Fighter Group
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
14 January 1944
Place of death
2 miles northwest of Mostar, Yugoslavia

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
I 13 16

Immediate family

Members
Arthur C. Voelker (father)
Adelaide M. (Van Deren) Voelker (mother)
Donald P. Voelker (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-2436
Data
Type: P-38G
Destination: Mostar, Yugoslavia
Mission: Bomber escort
MACR: 1813

More information

2nd Lt Robert T. Voelker attended East Orange High School.

The airplane was shot down by enemy fighters.

Statement from 2nd Lt Paul F. Jorgenson:
"I was flying no. 3 man in flight led by Lt Bosshard. Lt Voelker was flying no 2 position. As we approached target Mostar, Yugoslavia, our flight made a 360 left turn over the town, and was jumped by 7 to 10 ME 109s just before completing turn. We were at 20,000 to 21,000 feet. Lt Bosshard broke right, and I broke left with my wingman. I last saw Lt Voelker, just as his flight leader broke right, starting to break. After I broke left I shot down an ME 109 and had another one on my tail, so made a sharp 360 turn to the left and as I was completing, I saw a P-38 explode in the vicinity of where Lt Voelker would have been if he continued in his right turn after I last saw him."

Robert T. Voelker is buried next to his brother, 1st Lt Donald P. Voelker.

Source of information: FOHF www.wwiimemorial.com, 82ndfightergroup.org, Geocities.com, Missing Aircrew Report, www.ancestry.com - Family Tree

Photo source: www.findagrave.com www.ancestry.com - East Orange High School Yearbook 1933