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Personal info

Full name
RAKOUSKA, Robert L
Date of birth
21 June 1922
Age
22
Place of birth
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois

Military service

Service number
36659512
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Nose Turret Gunner
Unit
735th Bombardment Squadron,
453rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
2 November 1944
Place of death
On the South bank of the Canal harbor basin
Luenen-Sued, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
C 7 7

Immediate family

Members
Frank Rakouska (father)
Barbara M. (Altman) Rakouska (mother)
Abbie Rakouska (sister)
Emma J. Rakouska (sister)
Emily Rakouska (sister)
Frank A. Rakouska (brother)
Alice B. Rakouska (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-64469
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: El Flacko
Destination: Castrop-Rauxel, Germany
MACR: 10165

More information

The aircraft crashed after a direct hit behind the bomb bay, after bombs away. One wing came off, the aircraft twisted straight down into the clouds and broke in half.

Two parachutes were seen to leave the aircraft but all crew members died and were buried at the main cemetery of Dortmund.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Mangold Family Tree / WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - bonnie1man