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name
EDWARDS, Robert Pearce - Date of
birth
11 May 1919 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Merchantville, Camden County, New Jersey -
Hometown
Merchantville, Camden County, New Jersey
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-736162 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
385th Fighter Squadron,
364th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
27 November 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Leun, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 38 | 41 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Erving Edwards (father)
Edith P. Edwards (mother)
Ewing P. Edwards (brother)
Edith W. Edwards (sister)
Colleen Edwards (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-14456 -
Data
Type: P-51D
Destination: Offenburg, Germany
Mission: Bomber Escort and Ramrod
MACR: 14441
More information
Statement of 2nd Lt Arthur B. McCormick, who flew in the same mission: "White flight (3 ships) had left the bombers around 1330, and started down for the deck looking for target of opportunity. We spotted a train in the vicinity of Leun, northwest of Frankfurt. The train was in a valley, hills on either side, heavily wooded. The train was standing on the track, which lay approximately on the southwest side of the valley, right next to a hill. We got in trail formation, and made a pass from northeast side of the valley. Haze in the valley was moderate, but enough to restrict normal vision. As I came in on my pass, I lost sight of Lt Edwards temporarily, because of the haze and sun. I decided not to fire, fearing I might hit Lt Edwards. There were high tension wires lying parallel to the track. I pulled up sharply as soon as I saw them. As I started over them, I observed a large explosion, followed by bellowing smoke and flames. On the side of the hill adjacent to the track, passing over trees, I saw several pieces of silver metal next to the fire. I peeled up, and made one more pass, firing this time on the train. I observed the wreckage of Lt Edwards plane, still burning. We then climbed up, and set course for home."Source of information: Terry Hirsch, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.findagrave.com, www.fold3.com
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 43-A, Sequoia, Visalia, California, Merchantville High School 1936