World War II Honoree

Robert T. 'Bob' Probst

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Trenton, New Jersey

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 741ST BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, 455TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP, 15TH AIR FORCE. FLEW SOME 44 MISSIONS IN A B-24 'LIBERATOR' BOMBER NICKNAMED 'YO YO.' STATIONED AT SAN GIOVANNI, ITALY, HIS UNIT WAS ENGAGED PRIMARILY IN BOMBARDMENT OF STRATEGIC TARGETS SUCH AS FACTORIES, MARSHALLING YARDS, OIL REFINERIES, HARBORS AND AIRFIELDS IN ITALY, FRANCE, GERMANY AND THE BALKANS. AWARDED THE AIR MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS UNIT DURING A STRIKE AGAINST THE OIL REFINERY AT MOOSBIERBAUM ON JUNE 26, 1944 IN THE FACE OF SEVERE FIGHTER OPPOSITION. HIS SQUADRON ALSO SUPPORTED GROUND FORCES BY KNOCKING OUT GUN POSITIONS, BRIDGES AND TROOP CONCENTRATIONS DURING THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE IN AUGUST, 1944; AND DURING THE FINAL DRIVE OF ALLIED FORCES IN ITALY IN APRIL, 1945. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.