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Bechtel, Robert William

Individual Personnel Data
Name Bechtel, Robert William   
Rank Staff Sergeant
Serial Number 13096713   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 29 March 1944, effective 29 March 1944.
Duty Ball Turret Gunner
Last Duty Date 13 April 1944
Results Evaded Capture
DecorationsAwarded the Air Medal for completing five missions.
Awarded an oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal for completing five additional missions.
Awarded an oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal for shooting down one enemy aircraft on 13 April 1944.
Awarded the Purple Heart for wounds Received on 13 April 1944 per General Orders #49, Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe dated 11 August 1944.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 23 March 1922
  • Transferred from the 482nd BG.
  • Promoted to Staff Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #68 dated 10 April 1944.
  • Evaded capture on 13 April and returned to Allied Control at Gibralter on 28 July 1944.
  • Promoted from Staff Sergeant to Technical sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #171 dated 25 August 1944.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 3868 (11.787 MB)
Escape & Evasion Report # 845 (Filesize N/A)




Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 5 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
85 29 March 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑97477 Combat Mission Credit
Group deputy.
Sortie Report
86 9 April 1944 Target: FW-190 Fighter Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Marienburg, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑37816 Combat Mission Credit
Dropped 25 parcels of G-34 'nickles' (propaganda leaflets) along with demolition bombs.
Sortie Report
87 10 April 1944 Target: Evere Airfield (50°54'3"N 4°20'9"E)
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Brussels / Bruxelles, Belgium
Ball Turret 42‑37816 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
88 11 April 1944 Target: FW Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Sorau, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑37816 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
89 13 April 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑37816 Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Shot down during fighter attacks which lasted from 1354 to 1357 hrs; crashed Rambucourt, France. MACR 3868.
Sortie Report

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