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Personal info

Full name
YOUNG, Robert Eagleton
Date of birth
29 Dec 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama
Hometown
Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama

Military service

Service number
34809317
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Waist Gunner
Unit
836th Bombardment Squadron,
487th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
3 February 1945
Place of death
North Sea

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Luther T. Young (father)
Mary E. (Eagleton) Young (mother)
Frances H. Young (sister)
Luther T. Young Jr. (brother)
Nancy J. Young (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
42-98014
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Berlin, Germany

More information

Sgt Robert E. Young graduated from Coffee High School in 1943.

The aircraft developed engine trouble after bombing and was escorted back by fighters. When over the North Sea all engines went out and the pilot ditched about 15 miles west of the Frisian Islands. All crew members except the waist gunner, Sgt Robert E. Young, were rescued.

Source of information: Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.487thbg.org, www.ancestry.com - U.S. Census Records, 1920-1940 / WWII Military Dead and Wounded, 1944-1946 / Luther T. Young Family Tree, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Gerrie Franken -SOHE, Michel Beckers/William J. Waldron