In Memory - Bob Wolfe

Bob Wolfe Was Killed October 17 in Germany
Had Previously Been Reported as Missing In Action

Technical Sergeant Robert Wolfe lost his life when the B-17 on which he served as radio operator and gunner went down in Germany October 17, 1944. The news came last Thursday to his wife, the former Dorothy Anderson, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Wolfe of Montevideo.

His family had held the hope that “Bob” had survived the crash, from which the radio operator on the plane escaped safely.

The message addressed to T/Sgt. Robert C. Wolfe’s wife follows:

I am deeply distressed to inform you (that a) report now received states your husband Technical Sergeant Robert Wolfe, who was previously reported as missing in action, was killed in action October 17, 1944. In Germany. The secretary of War desires me to express his deepest sympathy in your loss and his regret that unavoidable circumstances made necessary the unusual lapse of time reporting your husband’s death to you. Confirming letter follows.

Excerpt from the news report of his death. Source and publication date unknown.

Fields of Honor Member:
Robert Clayton Wolfe
 
Service number:
37563281
 
Age at time of death:
20
 
Born:
October 1, 1924
 
Hometown:
Montevideo, Chippewa County, Minnesota
 
Family:
Dorothy (wife), Joel (son)
 
Rank:
Technical Sergeant
 
Function:
Radio Operator/Gunner
 
Company – Squadron:
96th Bomber Squadron
 
Unit – Group:
2nd Bomber Group, Heavy
 
Plane data:
(Serial number, MACR, etc.)
Serial number: 44-6379
Type: B-17G
Destination: Blechhammer, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the synthetic oil refinery
MACR: 9149
 
Date of death:
17 October 1944
 
Status:
Killed In Action
 
Place of death:
Blechhammer, Germany
 
Awards:
Purple Heart
 
Grave number:
Plot A, Row 42, Grave 56
 
Cemetery:
American War Cemetery Ardennes
 
Other information:
The airplane collided with airplane 42-107006 over the target. It broke in half. Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, eight were killed. They were initially buried at the cemetery of the military facilities of Heydebreck.
 

 

History of the B-17 #44-6379
Delivered Hunter 7/22/44; Presque Is 4/8/44; Assigned 96BS/2BG Amendola 8/13/44; Missing in Action {28m} Blechhammer 10/17/44 with Arnold Kwiatkoski, Co-pilot: Ed Buettner, Navigator: Fred Brilliant, Bombardier: Dave Eiseman, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Rich Ferro, Radio Operator: Bob Wolfe, Ball turret gunner: Jim Johnston, Waist gunner: Elton Schumann (8 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Rich Radlinger,Tail gunner: Jacob Fiebelman (2 Prisoner of War); collided with 42-107006, broke in half, no chutes seen; crashed Blechhammer, Ger.; Missing Air Crew Report 9149.