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name
BLACK, Robert Clayton - Date of
birth
24 July 1920 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Peach Bottom, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Quarryville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-734640 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
535th Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Finding of Death - Date of
death
8 October 1943 - Place of
death
Harpstedt, 20 miles southwest of Bremen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| M | 20 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Fred T. Black (father)
Pearl A. (Dorsey) Black (mother)
Louise M. (Moore) Black (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-30864 -
Data
Type: B-17 F
Destination: Bremen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 885
More information
1st Lt. Robert C. Black enlisted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on 7 February 1942.The airplane was hit by flak and was last seen when the formation turned off of the target. The #4 engine was feathered and the #2 engine was on fire. At that time is was losing altitude.
As far as other crew members remembered, Lt Black was not wounded when the order to bail out was given. He was last seen in the nose compartment and it is possible he bailed out through the forward hatch. He may have injured himself by stricking some part of the aircraft and his parachute may not have opened as it should.
Lt Black was the only casualty. The other nine crew members were taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, NARA, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Veteran Compensation Application File
Photo source: FOHF, Pittsburgh Post Gazette - 29 December 1942