World War II Honoree

Robert L. Francis

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Bismark, North Dakota

Honored By

John Meurs

Relationship

Historian

SERVICE NUMBER 02061112. BOMBARDIER WITH THE 351ST BOMB GROUP, 511TH BOMB SQUADRON OF THE 8TH U.S. ARMY ARMY FORCE BASED IN ENGLAND. ON NOVEMBER 26, 1944, HIS B-17G, SERIAL NUMBER 43-37571 'DEAR BESSIE' WENT DOWN OVER GERMANY AFTER A MISSION TO THE SYNTHETIC FUEL PLANT IN MISBURG, GERMANY. THE 2 PILOTS WERE KILLED IN THE CRASH, THE 7 OTHER CREW MEMBERS, INCLUDING HONOREE WERE TAKEN PRISONER.