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 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. WAS STATIONED AT BASE STATION 121, BASSINGBOURNE, 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 FIFTH COMBAT MISSION, A GERMAN FOCKE-WULF 190 PLANE CAME OUT OF THE SUN AND SHOT THE BOMBS IN THE BOMB BAY ALONG WITH HIS RIGHT LEG AND SEVERED IT OFF JUST BELOW THE KNEE. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, PRESIDENTIAL CITATION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND THE WWII VICTORY MEDAL.