Buckley, Robert Harrison

Individual Personnel Data
Name Buckley, Robert Harrison   ‡
⇗
Rank Staff Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 19074146   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per 547th Bomb Squadron Unit History, effective 27 January 1943.
Duty Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
Last Duty Date 25 June 1943
Results Killed In Action
Final Resting Place or Memorial: Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, The Netherlands: Plot J Row 18 Grave 12
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 9 November 1921
  • Appointed Technical Sergeant effective 15 February 1943 per 547th Bomb Squadron March 1943 payroll roster.
  • Killed when struck by a 20-mm round during 25 June 1943 mission.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 16357⇓ (1.629 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
547th BOMB SQUADRON MODEL CREW
The first combat crew assigned to the squadron.
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
1st Lt. Smith, James William⇗PilotPOW
2nd Lt. Keck, George Blackburn⇗Co-pilotKIA
2nd Lt. Taber, Robin Everett⇗NavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Meyers, Francis Joseph, Jr⇗BombardierPOW
S/SGT. Reichwein, John Joseph⇗Radio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Buckley, Robert HarrisonEngineer / Top Turret GunnerKIA
SGT. Jones, Lynn Tilton⇗Ball Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Igou, William Fredrick, "Bill"⇗Tail GunnerPOW
SGT. MacArthur, Stanley William⇗Flexible GunnerPOW
PFC. Pratt, David Alan⇗Flexible GunnerPOW

Crew History

The James W Smith Crew was the first one to be assigned to the 547th BS of the 384th BG at Wendover - becoming its "Model Crew" and "Crew 71" (crew #1 of the 547th) - on 27 January 1943, joining Pratt who had arrived the day prior.

Co-pilot Keck was later given his own crew, #77, and was replaced by Robert B Kilmer, Jr., a pilot who had arrived with a new crew on 11 March 1943.

The Smith Crew, less Kilmer, Taber, and Igou, were shot down on its second mission, and Buckley was KIA. All the remainder were POW - which later was the fate of the remaining member of the crew who did not fly that mission.
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 2 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
1⇗ 22 June 1943 Target: General Motors Truck Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Antwerp, Belgium 		Engineer/Top Turret 42‑5850⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
2⇗ 25 June 1943 Target: Industrial Area & Submarine Pens
Type: Military
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Engineer/Top Turret 42‑5850⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Group lead. Bombed primary on wing lead. Lost altitude near coast of England, one engine out and another smoking; cr Smallbroek, The Netherlands. MACR 16357 Maj. Selden Longley McMillin was awarded the Silver Star for this action (Owens p. 197).
Sortie Report⇗

Every effort has been expended to ensure all information on this page is complete and accurate.
Please inform webmaster of any discrepancies or omissions by using the button below.