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name
PASTER, Robert Murray - Date of
birth
16 August 1920 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Maple Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio -
Hometown
Maple Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35917645 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
324th Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
16 August 1944 - Place of
death
East of Eichenberg, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 5 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Gustav Paster (father)
Louise (Oltersdorff) Paster (mother)
George Baker (step-father)
Theodore Paster (brother)
Oliver Paster (brother)
Gertrude A. (Grimm) Paster (wife)
Roberta A. Paster (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-39996 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Boston Bombshell
Destination: Halle, Germany
MACR: 8179
More information
Sgt Robert M. Paster graduated from Maple Heights High School and was employed at Pump & Meter Manufacturing Company.He enlisted in Cleveland, Ohio on 30 September 1943.
"We were flying in no.2 position of lead element, altitude 25,400 ft, time 10.00 to 10.10 hours. At this time we were hit from the rear at 5 o'clock level by approximately 25 enemy fighters. When I first observed A/C 42-39996, it was a mass of flames, all four motors were burning. The aircraft was flying in a gradual turn, and at this time four parachutes came out. All of these four parachutes were burning and flaming."
His brother-in-law, George Murray, was killed in action eight days later and is also buried at Ardennes Cemetery at Plot B, Row 37, Grave 58. They enlisted on the same day.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Mark Solinski, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, 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, Patti Johnson / Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio