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Kennedy, Robert J

Individual Personnel Data
Name Kennedy, Robert J   
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-734709   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Special Orders #32 dated 1 February 1943, effective 1 February 1943.
Duty Bombardier
MOS1035 - Bombardier
Last Duty Date 17 August 1943
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
Additional Information
  • Graduated from Bombardier School at Kirtland AAF, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Class #42-17, 12 December 1943.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 296 (5.054 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Original 384th Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Hausenfluck, Jesse Dee, JrPilotKIA
2nd Lt. MacKenzie, Donald BCo-pilotKIA
2nd Lt. Everson, Charles WNavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Kennedy, Robert JBombardierPOW
SGT. Bucheri, Sebastian (NMI)Radio Operator / GunnerPOW
PVT. Kilcourse, John ThomasEngineer / Top Turret GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Taylor, Everett AndrewEngineer / Top Turret GunnerTR
SGT. Traylor, James AudinBall Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Gregori, Raymond PatrickTail GunnerWIA
S/SGT. Kelley, John RFlexible GunnerPOW

Crew History

The Hausenfluck Crew joined the 544th BS at Wendover on 1 February 1943. Identified as "Crew #3" on the assignment order, they became the first "Crew #43" in the squadron.

Before moving to England, Taylor was transferred to the 354th B HQ AAB Squadron at Sioux City, Iowa. Taylor was replaced on the crew by S/Sgt John C Blauer, who joined the squadron on 19 April 1943 at Sioux City, Iowa.

The crew flew to England and flew most of their missions together, with minimal substitutions, until they were shot down on 17 August 1943, the "First Schweinfurt" mission. Pilot Hausenfluck and copilot Mackenzie were KIA, and the remainder of the crew became POWs for the rest of the war.

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 10 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
1 22 June 1943 Target: General Motors Truck Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Bombardier 42‑29956 Ground Spare aircraft and Crew; did not take off; remainder of crew not identified in mission documentsA
Sortie Report
2 25 June 1943 Target: Industrial Area & Submarine Pens
Type: Military
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Bombardier 42‑30139 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Returned to base due to weather conditions; pilot was unable to maintain contact with the formation.
Sortie Report
3 26 June 1943 Target: Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France
Bombardier 42‑30142 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
High Squadron Deputy. Turned back with number 1 engine running very rough, with insufficient supercharger boost.
Sortie Report
4 28 June 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger, France
Bombardier 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report
5 29 June 1943 Target: duNord Aircraft Works, Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France
Bombardier 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron #2 (customary position for Deputy, but not so designated on formation chart).
Sortie Report
6 4 July 1943 Target: Gnome et Rhone Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Le Mans, France
Bombardier 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
8 14 July 1943 Target: Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France
Bombardier 42‑29956 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at Splasher 10 at 0711 hrs when #3 prop governor broke and prop ran away.
Sortie Report
9 24 July 1943 Target: Aluminum & Magnesium Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Herøya, Norway
Bombardier 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
12 29 July 1943 Target: Naval Base
Type: Military
Location: Kiel, Germany
Bombardier 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report
13 30 July 1943 Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel, Germany
Bombardier 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
14 12 August 1943 Target: Synthetic Fuel Hydrogenation Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Bombardier 42‑30142 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
15 15 August 1943 Target: Poix-en-Picardie and Amiens-Glisy Airfields
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Poix-de-Picardie & Amiens, France
Bombardier 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report
16 16 August 1943 Target: Le Bourget Airport & Air Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France
Bombardier 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report
17 17 August 1943 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany
Bombardier 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Low Squadron deputy. Shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed south of St. Goarshausen, Germany in Niederheimbach. MACR 296
Sortie Report

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