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name
RICHTER, Robert Roy - Date of
birth
29 November 1917 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Richmond Hill, Long Island, New York -
Hometown
New Hyde Park, Nassau County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-818940 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
568th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
14 January 1945 - Place of
death
Near Dreetz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 33 | 27 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles H. Richter (father)
Louise (End) Richter (mother)
Mabel M. Richter (sister)
Ruth C. Richter (sister)
Wilma J. Richter (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38337 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Cloud Hopper
Destination: Derben, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil storage
MACR: 11721
More information
1st Lt Robert R. Richter graduated from Hempstead High School in 1936. He attended college and was a sales clerk.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve at the Nashville Air Corps Facilities, Tennessee on 26 February 1943.
The Missing Aircrew Report reports: "Aircraft lost during intense fighter attacks by approximately 100 FW 190s and ME 109s in the area between 5300N-1200E and 5220N-1250E at about 1240 hours. Due to the fact that the entire squadron was lost during these encounters, there are no particulars available on the attack and subsequent loss of this aircraft. Approximately 14 chutes reported seen from the 8 aircraft lost in this squadron."
Six crew members were killed, three were taken prisoner.
The deceased crew members were initially buried at the community cemetery of Dreetz on the same day as the crash. On 1 July 1947, the remains were disinterred and the bodies of five members, John B. Hankey, Robert R. Richter, William L. Blankenship, William I Sink Jr. and Ralph G. Beighley were discovered in a common grave without coffins.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, WWII Memorial, Fold3, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Barbara Kennedy Landers, Peter Schouteten, Hempstead High School 1936