World War II Honoree

Robert W. Fortnam

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wollastan, Massachusetts

Honored By

Arnold A. Wright

Relationship

Friend

ASSIGNED DUTY AS CO-PILOT OF A B-17 BOMBER THAT WAS ON A MISSION OVER GERMANY OCTOBER 8, 1943 WHEN THE PLANE WAS ATTACKED HEAD-ON BY A FLIGHT OF ME-109 GERMAN FIGHTER PLANES. NUMBER 3 ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND NUMBER 2 ENGINE PROPELLER RAN AWAY. CRASH LANDED AT ZUIDER ZEE NEAR THE VILLAGE OF URK. PILOT AND TAIL GUNNER WERE BOTH SHOT BUT SURVIVED. BALANCE OF CREW WERE NOT INJURED. CAPTURED AND LATER CONFINED IN STALAG LUFT III ON OCTOBER 18, 1943.