World War II Honoree

Robert W. Zercher

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

York, Pennsylvania

Honored By

John Meurs

Relationship

Dutch Historian

SERVICE NUMBER: 13092429 BALL-TURRET GUNNER WITH THE 452ND BOMB GROUP, 729TH BOMB SQUADRON OF THE 8TH USAAF BASED IN ENGLAND. ON SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1944, HIS BOMBER, THE B-17G, “KAREN B” WITH THE SERIAL # 42-39920, ON A MISSION TO BERLIN WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED BY FLAK OVER THE TARGET AND WAS GRADUALLY LOSING ALTITUDE. THE PILOT MADE A SUCCESSFUL BELLY-LANDING IN THE EASTERN PART OF GERMAN OCCUPIED HOLLAND AND THE COMPLETE CREW WAS PICKED UP AND HIDDEN BY THE DUTCH UNDERGROUND. ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1944, HE AND SIX MEMBERS OF THE DUTCH UNDERGROUND WERE ARRESTED IN APELDOORN, HOLLAND, BY THE GERMANS AND EXECUTED WITHOUT TRIAL ON OCTOBER 2,1944.