World War II Honoree

Robert A. Foster

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Peoria, Illinois

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Second Lieutenant. Inducted into the United States Army Air Corps July 14, 1941 at Peoria, Illinois. Following the completion of basic Military training, he was selected to attend the Flight Aviation training program. As a graduate of the Cadet Flight Aviation program, he accepted his Commission with the Rank of Second Lieutenant and awarded the Silver Aviator Badge. He served as a Co-Pilot aboard a B-17 ‘Flying-Fortress’ Bomber, assigned to the 410th 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 Podington Royal Air Force Station Location: Bedfordshire, 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-3 near Sagan-Silesia, Bavaria. When the War ended in Europe Tuesday, May 8, 1945 he was liberated, and eventually 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 Lieutenant for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.