World War II Honoree

Robert E. Gerstemeier

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Trudie Gerstemeier

Relationship

Wife

ENLISTED IN OCTOBER 1942. RECEIVED HIS TRAINING AT KEESLER FIELD MECHANICAL SCHOOL ON B-24 BOMBERS; LOCKHEED VEGA ELECTRONIC SCHOOL IN BURBANK, CALIFORNIA FOR B-17 BOMBERS; ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, GUNNERY SCHOOL WHERE HE WAS TOP OF HIS CLASS; AND LAS VEGAS GUNNERY SCHOOL WHERE HE PRACTICED HIS FLIGHT CAPABILITIES WITH THE B-17 AIRCRAFT. STATIONED AT ENGLISH BASE, STATION 121, BASSINGBOURN, ENGLAND AND ASSIGNED TO THE 401ST BOMB SQUADRON, 91ST BOMB GROUP, 8TH AIR FORCE. AMONG THE PLANES HE FLEW IN WERE 'HITLER’S HEARSE' AND 'MY BELOVED TOO' AS A TECHNICAL SERGEANT. WAS A FLIGHT ENGINEER AND TOP TURRET GUNNER IN CHARGE OF THE WORKINGS OF THE PLANE. ON JANUARY 30, 1944, WHILE FLYING ON HIS 5TH COMBAT MISSION, A GERMAN FOLK-WOLF 190 CAME OUT OF THE SUN AND FOUND THE BOMBS IN THE BOMB BAY ALONG WITH BOB'S RIGHT LEG AND SEVERED IT OFF JUST BELOW THE KNEE. HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, PRESIDENTIAL CITATION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.