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Submit- Full
name
KAER, Robert Lester - Date of
birth
1 September 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Waseca, Waseca County, Minnesota -
Hometown
San Diego County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
19151162 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
748th Bombardment Squadron,
457th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
2 November 1944 - Place of
death
Ziegelrode near Eisleben, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 6 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Lawrence L. Kaer (father)
Luella M. (Root) Kaer (mother)
Bonnie J. Kaer (sister)
Richard L. Kaer (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-6155 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Bernberg, Germany
Mission: Objective Bombing
MACR: 10314
More information
Sgt Robert L. Kaer attended Polytechnic High School in Riverside, California.Approximately 40 enemy aircraft bounced group at about 1248 to 1258, 17 to 27 minutes after bombs away, in area between coordinates 5135-11252 to 5110-1110. They attacked from the tail between 5 and 8 o'clock. They approached in waves, but each of them appeared to single out an individual B-17 to attack. The Aircraft was hit by enemy aircraft and pulled off to the left, was flying straight and level when last noticed. The aircraft was flying number 3, low section, low squadron. This was one of seven aircraft shot down from this squadron.
It is believed that Sgt Kaer was severely wounded or killed in the fighter attack, which came in toward the tail and from below.
Source of information: Michel Beckers, Peter Schouteten, Astrid van Erp, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Homepage - The 457th Bomb Group (H) Association (457thbombgroupassoc.org), www.ancestry.com - Polytechnic High School Yearbook 1941