Memorial

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Sgt Robert S. Wolfe attended high school for 2 years and was a chauffeur. He enlisted at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana on 22 March 1943.

S/Sgt. Robert Wolfes's brother, Danny called at the base in Italy for the first visit in two years the very same day his brothers plane had failed to return.

Both were with the 15th Air Force in Italy and when Danny learned that his brother was stationed only 50 miles away, he obtained a pass and made his way to his brother's camp. At the base he was told that Robert was missing on his second mission over Germany.

Another brother, Pfc. William, Jr. fought with the infantry in France.

Statement of 1st Lt James E. Wagner:
"I had just glanced back to see the position of the squadron on my right wing, when I saw a lone Me-109 diving on B-17 No. 351 from the 4 o 'clock position, slightly high.The E/A closed in very near to the B-17 and then fired four or five bursts. I could see shots entering the tail section. Then the B-17 No. 351 pulled to the right, and straight up and fell off to the left and went into a flat spin. I lost sight before I saw any chutes, and the plane was still in a spin. This was at 1000 hours, at approximately 48-10N, 17-42 E, from an altitude of 21,000 feet."

Five crew members were killed in the crash, four were taken prisoner. The co-pilot, 1st Reese N. Burks died in a POW camp.