World War II Honoree

Robert Colby Anderson

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

West Newbury, Massachusetts

Honored By

Robert Anderson, Jr.

Relationship

Son

LIEUTENANT COLONEL. RETIRED AFTER 20 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE. AWARDED THE SILVER STAR, PURPLE HEART, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL. RECEIVED A CITATION FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION AS PILOT OF B-24 AIRCRAFT ON JUNE 24, 1944. PARTICIPATED IN A BOMBING MISSION AGAINST A VITAL ENEMY OIL CENTER IN RUMANIA. EN ROUTE TO THE TARGET, SERIOUS MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES RENDERED AN ENGINE INOPERATIVE, FORCING HIS AIRCRAFT TO DROP FROM THE PROTECTIVE FORMATION WHERE IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ATTACKED BY NUMEROUS ENEMY FIGHTERS. IN THE ENSUING VIOLENT AERIAL BATTLE, HIS AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED FURTHER SEVERE DAMAGE, A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE TAIL SECTION AND HE WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. DESPITE INTENSE PAIN, SHOCK AND LOSS OF BLOOD, HE DISPLAYED OUTSTANDING COURAGE AND DETERMINATION, RETAINED CONTROL OF HIS STRICKEN AIRCRAFT ENABLING HIS GUNNERS TO DESTROY 2 OF THE ENEMY FIGHTERS. THE FIRE SPREAD THROUGHOUT HIS AIRCRAFT. WITH COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR HIS PERSONAL SAFETY, HE REMAINED AT THE CONTROLS TO FACILITATE THE SAFE BAILING OUT OF HIS CREW. NOT UNTIL ASSURED THAT ALL MEMBERS HAD SAFELY CLEARED THE SHIP, DID HE PARACHUTE INTO ENEMY TERRITORY. SPENT 101 DAYS AS A POW IN SOFIA, BULGARIA. COMPLETED 44 SUCCESSFUL MISSIONS AGAINST THE ENEMY.