World War II Honoree

Robert Armstead Folger

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

San Jose, California

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS RESERVES ON 16 MAY 1942 IN SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. SUBSEQUENTLY COMMISSIONED A SECOND LIEUTENANT, HE SERVED AS A PILOT ONBOARD A B-17 FLYING FORTRESS WITH THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 398TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 600TH BOMB SQUADRON, BASED AT NUTHAMPSTEAD AIR FIELD, IN HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND. HIS B-17 (TAIL #42-107218) NICKNAMED 'AGONY WAGON II' WAS SHOT DOWN ON 7 JULY 1944, DURING A BOMBING MISSION TO HIT AN OIL REFINERY IN LEIPZIG, GERMANY. JUST AFTER THE BOMBS WERE RELEASED AND HE WAS TURNING FOR HOME, THE AIRCRAFT TOOK A FLAK BURST UNDER THE TOP TURRET PLATFORM AND A FIRE STARTED IN THE BOMB BAY. ALTHOUGH THE FLIGHT ENGINEER AND RADIO OPERATOR MANAGED TO EXTINGUISH THE BOMB BAY FIRE, THEY WERE SLOWLY LOSING ALTITUDE. HE FLEW THE AIRCRAFT TOWARD SWEDEN, BUT WITH ONE ENGINE ON FIRE AND ANOTHER THROWING OIL, THE CREW BAILED OUT AT AROUND 12,000 FEET OVER ENEMY TERRITORY NEAR HALLE, GERMANY. THE AIRCREW BECAME PRISONERS OF WAR, AND HE WAS SENT TO STALAG 7A NEAR MOOSBURG, BAVARIA.