World War II Honoree

Robert Vernon Mollett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Tacoma, Washington

Honored By

Patricia A. Mollett McDonald

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED IN THE ARMY AIR FORCE FROM 1941 TO 1945. HE WAS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT WITH THE 9TH AIR FORCE, 323RD BOMB GROUP (M), 453RD AND 454TH BOMB SQUADRONS AS AIRPLANE ARMORER, GUNNER AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER BOMB TOGGLER. FLEW MISSIONS FROM EARLS COLNE AND BEAULIEU, ENGLAND AND LATER OVER GERMANY FROM CHARTRES AND LAON, FRANCE ABOARD B-26 MARAUDER BOMBERS. HE FLEW A TOTAL OF 45 MISSIONS. HIS LAST MISSION, ON APRIL 20, 1945 WAS OVER THE MEMMINGEN MARSHALLING YARDS IN SOUTHERN GERMANY. HIS PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN BY AN ME-262 JET FIGHTER. HE AIMED THE BOMB LOAD OVER THE TARGET AND BAILED OUT OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE REST OF THE CREW. THEY WERE IMPRISONED AT STALAG VIIB AT MEMMINGEN FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK BEFORE BEING LIBERATED BY ALLIED FORCES. BOB RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS FOR COMPLETING THE MISSION WHILE UNDER FIRE.