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name
BON, Robert R - Date of
birth
25 February 1921 -
Age
24 - Place of
birth
Wisconsin -
Hometown
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
16116511 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
327th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
17 April 1945 - Place of
death
Near Dippoldiswalde, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 18 | 9 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Reiner Bon (father)
Concetta Bon (mother)
Margaret M. Bon (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-8903 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Dresden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the railroad center and marshalling yards
MACR: 14052
More information
T/Sgt Robert R. Bon was a plumber before he joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 9 September 1942.The aircraft collided in mid-air with another B-17 (# 43-39110) over the target.
Two crew members were taken prisoner, six were killed and initially buried near Oelsa, Germany, in a mass grave together with the deceased of the other plane (except one).
The remains were evacuated to Ardennes Cemetery in February 1948, registered as Unknowns. All the bodies would later be identified.
T/Sgt Bon was given his final resting place at Ardennes on 27 September 1949.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com, www.fold3.com, IDPF
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, War Memorial Center, Milwaukee Wisconsin