Swank, Robert Dale

Individual Personnel Data
Name Swank, Robert Dale   ‡
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-740975   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #43 dated 6 July 1943, effective 6 July 1943.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 12 August 1943
Results Killed In Action
Final Resting Place or Memorial: Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, The Netherlands: Plot H Row 12 Grave 7
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 21 December 1921
  • Graduated from Army Air Forces Advanced Flying School, Roswell Army Flying School, Roswell, New Mexico in March 1943. (designated For Four-Engine Assignment)
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 288⇓ (26.475 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Swank, Robert DalePilotKIA
2nd Lt. Hoffmeyer, William Alfred⇗Co-pilotPOW
2nd Lt. Bolin, Harold Andrew⇗NavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Perkins, Newell Edward⇗BombardierPOW
T/SGT. Mattoon, William Earl⇗Radio Operator / GunnerPOW
T/SGT. Kosse, Russel Jerome⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Johnson, Carl Benjamin⇗Ball Turret GunnerKIA
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 4 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
9⇗ 24 July 1943 Target: Aluminum & Magnesium Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Herøya, Norway 		Co-pilot 42‑3216⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead, group deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
10⇗ 25 July 1943 Target: Blohm & Voss Aircraft Works and Shipyard
Type: Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑5806⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at RAF Oulton, Norfolk, on return due to low fuel.
Sortie Report⇗
11⇗ 28 July 1943 Target: Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel, Germany 		Pilot 42‑30139⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back with #2 engine trouble.
Sortie Report⇗
12⇗ 29 July 1943 Target: Naval Base
Type: Military
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Pilot 42‑3074⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back over North Sea because #3 exhaust manifold blew and pressure went down to 15 inches, making it impossible to keep up with formation.
Sortie Report⇗
13⇗ 30 July 1943 Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel, Germany 		Pilot 42‑29985⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back ten miles from the English coast due to 'high cylinder head temperatures and rough No. 2 engine.'
Sortie Report⇗
14⇗ 12 August 1943 Target: Synthetic Fuel Hydrogenation Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑5806⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Hit by flak on the way to the target, then attacked by fighters. Some of crew bailed out before aircraft exploded. Crashed near Volmershofen/Heidgen (5 miles SW of Bonn), Germany. MACR 288
Sortie Report⇗

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