World War II Honoree

Robert S. Parnell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Renton, Washington

Honored By

Tricia Sheldon Solomon

Relationship

Granddaughter

CAPTAIN, 351ST BOMB GROUP AT POLEBROOK; 8TH AIR FORCE, (B-17 BOMBER, QUEENIE), BASED IN ENGLAND. RESPONSIBLE FOR 36 BOMBERS, 330 MEN AND FLEW AT LEAST 40 MISSIONS OVER GERMANY. INCLUDING A FEW MISSIONS IN WHICH HIS PLANE WAS HIT MANY TIMES. ONCE LOST 2 ENGINES, HIT FROM FLAK BAD ENOUGH TO TEAR A GAPING HOLE IN 1 OF HIS SELF SEALING WING TANKS, BIG ENOUGH FOR BURNING GASOLINE, STREAM OF FIRE TRAILING 300 FEET. HIS SUCCESS IN THESE MISSIONS WAS PARTLY DUE TO HIS FORMATIONS. RECEIVED ADDITIONAL AIR MEDALS AND THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.