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name
SMITH, Robert Dale - Date of
birth
2 March 1906 -
Age
37 - Place of
birth
Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana -
Hometown
Noble County, Indiana
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
35041716 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
Assistant Radio Operator -
Unit
343rd Bombardment Squadron,
98th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
22 February 1944 - Place of
death
Near Burghausen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| C | 25 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harry H. Smith (father)
Rosetta (Seslar) Smith (mother)
Ruby I. (Schoup) Smith (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-64483 -
Data
-S
Type: B-24H
Destination: Regensburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft factory
MACR: 2727
More information
Sgt. Smith enlisted on 9 March 1942 at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.Statement from 1st Lt. Arnold M. Hanssen, Operation Officer. "On combat mission of February 22nd 1944 at approximately 15 minutes before reaching target, the formation was attacked by forty ME-110s, JU 88s and ME 410. Due to the battle that followed together with the anti-aircraft fire which was accurate at the same time, the observation of the loss of Aircraft No. 483, piloted by 2nd Lt. Joseph P. Merkle could not be determined. It is believed, from interrogation of crews, that the aircraft crashed in the vicinity of target from attack or enemy pursuit hits. Parachutes were observed to open from two of our aircraft, but the ships could not be identified as being the one in question."
Ten crew members were killed, only one survived and was taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com – Headstone and Interment Record / 1930 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR
Photo source: Peter Schouteten