Robert G Hess was born in 1924 to Lloyd and Alta Hess of Coatesville, Pennsylvania. He had two siblings.
Robert was a graduated from Scott High School in 1941. After graduation, he worked at Lukens Steel Company.
Robert joined the Army Air Corps. After basic and advanced training he was shipped overseas to the European Theater of Operations in June, 1943. Robert was assigned to the 389th Bomb Squadron, 567th Bomb Group, Heavy. During the summer of 1943, the group was detached from the Eighth Airforce in England and was sent to Tunisia, North Africa.