World War II Honoree

Robert F. Flanagan

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Utica, Wisconsin

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Technical Sergeant. Inducted into the United States Army Air Corps February 24, 1942 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. After completing basic military training, he was selected to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. He served as a Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner aboard a B-17 ‘Flying-Fortress’ Bomber, assigned to the 401st Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, and an element of the U.S. 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ Army Air Forces. His unit was based at the Bassingbourn Royal Air Force Station Location: Cambridgeshire, England. Saturday, April 17, 1943 his Bomber was shot down by German Fighters, while participating in a Bombing mission to Bremen, Germany. The Flight Group’s mission was to destroy, an operational German Aircraft Plant. He successfully bailed-out, before his aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Bruchhausen, and was captured by the German Armed Forces. His captors transferred him to the Prisoner of War Camp, Stalag Luft 17B near Krems, Austria. When the War ended in Europe Tuesday, May 8, 1945 he was liberated, and returned to military control. This American Patriot received the following Decorations: Air Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the Silver Aviator Badge. The Air Medal was awarded to the Sergeant for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.