World War II Honoree

Robert W. Ward

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Pontiac, Michigan

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Second Lieutenant. On January 27, 1943, he was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps, with his induction at Miami, Beach Florida. After the completion of Boot Camp, he was accepted into the Flight Aviation Training Program. Served as a Copilot in a B-26C Marauder Bomber in the European Theater of Operations. His unit was based at the Royal Air Force Station Chipping Ongar, located near London, England. Assigned to the 559th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group; U.S. Ninth Army Air Forces. Reported Missing in action Saturday, December 23, 1944 while on a bombing mission against enemy forces near Philippsweiler, Germany. The bomber carrying a crew of eight was hit by German anti-aircraft ground fire, crashing in the area of Philippsweiler. Later his missing in action status was amended to read, killed in action. His name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at the Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, Belgium. After the cessation of hostilities in Europe, his remains were not recovered. In 2010 and 2011, teams from the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Agency excavated the crash site. There were some remains, American military gear, and other artifacts were recovered. The remains were transferred to the Agencies laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where he was identified. The remains of this Airman were interred with Military Honors, October 1, 2016 at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Pontiac, Michigan. He received the following awards posthumously: Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart. The Air Medal awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.