World War II Honoree

Robert A. Whitby

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Peckville, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

HE SERVED AS A NAVIGATOR IN THE ARMY AIR FORCES ON B-17 BOMBERS. HE EXPERIENCED HARROWING ESCAPES SUCH AS PLANES RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AND ICED WINGS ON LONG FLIGHTS FROM LABRADOR TO IRELAND. IN FEBRUARY 1944 HE WAS WOUNDED IN THE LEG AND ARM BY SHRAPNEL WHEN HIS PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN. HE SPENT 15 MONTHS IN THE GERMAN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP, STALAG LUFT #1 NEAR BARTH, GERMANY BEFORE THE RUSSIAN ARMY RESCUED HIM. HIS WEIGHT DROPPED TO 98 LBS. DURING HIS IMPRISONMENT. HE WAS AWARDED A PURPLE HEART. HE WAS DISCHARGED AND WENT TO WORK AT THE ARMY DEPOT IN TOBYHANNA, PENNSYLVANIA AND AT THE MARINE CORPS SUPPLY ACTIVITY CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN 1946.