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Hess, Robert M
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.
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.
Robert flew in an B-24 Liberator bomber called "Good Time Charlie III" as a waist gunner.
In July, 1943 after flying 25 missions, Robert received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also received the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters.
On August 1, 1943 Robert's bomb group flew on the dreaded Poesti oil fields mission, "Operation Tidal Wave". Five bomb groups consisting of 178 B-24's flew the mission. Fifty-three were lost, and others were badly damaged by bullets. This mission was one of the costliest bombing missions of World War II.
Technical Sargeant Robert M. Hess was killed in action on January 29, 1944, over Germany.
Robert's mother received the following telegram on February 14, 1944:
His mother had hoped that he would be found alive as new territories were liberated, but it was not to be.
Robert was a friend of another Chester County Hero, Technical Sargeant Fred at Manship Jr. of Coatesville.
Robert is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing the Cambridge American Cemetery, in Cambridge England.
Research by Don Wambold, WCMSC
In July, 1943 after flying 25 missions, Robert received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also received the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters.
On August 1, 1943 Robert's bomb group flew on the dreaded Poesti oil fields mission, "Operation Tidal Wave". Five bomb groups consisting of 178 B-24's flew the mission. Fifty-three were lost, and others were badly damaged by bullets. This mission was one of the costliest bombing missions of World War II.
Technical Sargeant Robert M. Hess was killed in action on January 29, 1944, over Germany.
Robert's mother received the following telegram on February 14, 1944:
“Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son T/Sgt. Robert G. Hess has been reported missing in action since January 29 over Germany. If further details or other information are received you be promptly notify.”
His mother had hoped that he would be found alive as new territories were liberated, but it was not to be.
Robert was a friend of another Chester County Hero, Technical Sargeant Fred at Manship Jr. of Coatesville.
Robert is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing the Cambridge American Cemetery, in Cambridge England.
Credits
Research by Don Wambold, WCMSC