World War II Honoree

Robert R. Cornthwaite

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

St. Helens, Oregon

Honored By

Joseph J. Grasela

Relationship

Friend

SERVED AS A RADIO GUNNER IN B-25 BOMBERS OF THE 12TH MEDIUM BOMBARDMENT GROUP (1942), RADIO OPERATOR AND SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WATCH IN THE 79TH FIGHTER GROUP (1943-1944) AND AS A WRITER AND BROADCASTER FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN ALLIED AIR FORCES (1944-1945). THE LAST WAS A PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSIGNMENT THROUGHOUT THE MEDITERRANEAN TO INCLUDE NAPLES, ROME AND CORSICA. MADE A FILM FOR THE FREE FRENCH AIR FORCE IN 1944. ACTED AS A SOUND ENGINEER RECORDING CAPITAINE EVE CURIE (DAUGHTER OF MARIE AND PIERRE) OF THE FREE FRENCH AIR FORCE. ALSO DUBBED THE VOICE OF U.S. GENERAL IRA EAKER IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE FOR THE SAME FILM. PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL CAMPAIGNS (PALESTINE-EGYPT; LIBYA; TUNISIA; MALTA; SICILY; SOUTHERN ITALY AND ROME-ARNO). AWARDED 2 PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS AND THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL.