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Personal info

Full name
BLANCHARD, Robert Morrison
Date of birth
15 June 1924
Age
19
Place of birth
Gardena, Los Angeles County, California
Hometown
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California

Military service

Service number
19177184
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Top Turret Gunner
Unit
412th Bombardment Squadron,
95th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
21 February 1944
Place of death
North Sea

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Roy C. Blanchard (father)
Anna M. (O'Haver) Blanchard (mother)
Virginia Blanchard (sister)
Paul Blanchard (brother)
Barbara Blanchard (sister)
Frederick Blanchard (brother)
Constance L. (Cummings) Blanchard (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30634
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Liberty Belle
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
MACR: 2423

More information

S/Sgt Robert M. Blanchard graduated from Gardener High School in 1942 and volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States on 30 November 1942 in Los Angeles, California.

B-17F, 42-30634 piloted by 1Lt John P. McGuigan, was seen to be hit by enemy aircraft and the #2 engine caught on fire at 1543 hours over the Zuider Zee. Five chutes were seen to leave the ship before the aircraft was lost from view.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, 95th BG Memorial Foundation via Arie-Jan van Hees