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name
GOTTHARDT, Robert John - Date of
birth
24 August 1916 -
Age
28 - Place of
birth
Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon -
Hometown
Longview, Cowlitz County, Washington
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-765248 -
Rank
Captain -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
533rd Bombardment Squadron,
381st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
22 March 1945 - Place of
death
Feldhausen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 12 | 4 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William J. Gotthardt (father)
Vertie (Crall) Gotthardt (mother)
David Gotthardt (brother)
Priscilla B. (Mackie) Gotthardt (wife)
Judith H. Gotthardt (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-8175 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Dorsten, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the military camp
MACR: 13607
More information
Capt Robert J. Gotthardt graduated from Washington High School in 1934 and was a salesman.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve as an aviation cadet in Santa Ana, California on 22 February 1943.
The aircraft received a direct hit between #3 engine and the fuselage, which caused a gas tank to explode. It burst into flames and went down in a slow spin. The tail broke off and the rest of the aircraft started breaking up.
One crew member survived and was taken prisoner, nine were killed.
Capt Gotthardt was the group commander during this mission.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Wiel te Poel, Washington High School 1934