World War II Honoree

Robert Martin Barry

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

Barbara Barry Levin

Relationship

Daughter

AFTER PILOT TRAINING ON B-17 and B-24 Bombers IN THE UNITED STATES, HE SERVED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS IN EUROPE, 450th Bomber Group, 723rd Squadron, 15th Air Force, FLYING B-24 LIBERATORS. TOOK PART IN THE RAID ON THE PLOESTI OILFIELDS IN ROMANIA ON APRIL 24, 1944. WHILE ON HIS 31ST MISSION OVER ITALY TO BOMB A BALL BEARING FACTORY IN TURIN, WAS SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FIGHTERS. EVADED CAPTURE FOR FOUR DAYS, BUT WAS CAPTURED BY AN ITALIAN PATROL AND WAS HELD AT STALAG LUFT 3 AND STALAG 7 IN GERMANY UNTIL FREED BY AMERICAN FORCES IN LATE APRIL 1945.