Memorial

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2nd Lt Robert H. Hallden graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School.

Persistent attacking German fighters waved through the formation causing severe damage to the struggling B-17's. A few minutes later, B-17 flown by Lt Robert H. Hallden in the low group of the lead squadron was hit hard by enemy gunfire. Two engines were burning and the plane went out of formation into a spin. Seconds later the plane exploded in the air. Despite the plane's disintegration in the air, eight crew members managed to escape the disaster.

Sgt Louis H. Breitenbach of Lt Crook's crew recalls: "We were flying alongside Lt Hallden's plane. Their plane was hit and blew up. No chutes seen, but who had time to look during that hairy air battle? It's a miracle that most of the crew survived. The remnants of the plane came down at Kirchlengern, which is located southwest of Minden, Germany at 11:10 hours, killing Lt Hallden and his Co-Pilot Lt Raymond L. Gentry"