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Personal info

Full 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

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