World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Robert Michael Wilde
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Sioux City, Iowa
Honored By
Alexander Jacobs, Jr.
Relationship
Veteran
SERVED WITH THE 5TH AIR FORCE, 8TH PURSUIT GROUP, 35TH PURSUIT SQUADRON AS A PILOT OF A P-39 'AIRACOBRA' FIGHTER IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. KILLED IN ACTION AFTER DOWNING TWO ENEMY AIRCRAFT ON MAY 12, 1942 WHEN HIS AIRCRAFT WAS SHOT DOWN BY JAPANESE 'ZERO' FIGHTERS NEAR PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, PURPLE HEART, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.