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name
HEHR, Robert G - Date of
birth
29 July 1916 -
Age
28 - Place of
birth
Buffalo, Erie County, New York -
Hometown
Buffalo, Erie County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
12216078 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Air Gunner -
Unit
568th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
14 January 1945 - Place of
death
Wachow, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 37 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles Hehr (father)
Anna Hehr (mother)
Bertha Hehr (sister)
Carl Hehr (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-8426 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Derben, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil storage
MACR: 11719
More information
T/Sgt Robert G. Hehr worked in an aircraft factory before he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Madison, Minnesota, on 18 August 1943.The aircraft was lost during intense fighter attacks by approximately 100 FW 190s and ME 109s 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.
Top Turret Gunner Mario J. Manfredini states in the Missing Aircrew Report:
"Plane was hit by fighters and set afire. Ball Turret gunner said that Hehr was wedged between his table and chair. He was not trying to get loose, so the ball turret gunner thinks that he was either dead or wounded severely and unable to get out of the plane. Germans told the Navigator that Hehr was found dead in the plane."
T/Sgt Hehr was initially buried at the community cemetery of Wachow on 16 January 1945.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Michel Beckers, Terry Hirsch, WWII Memorial, Fold3, www.ancestry.com - U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil /1930 Census / WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - 390th.org website / patootie