Robert Bruce Koch

Military
media-44859.jpeg UPL 44859 B-17 42-107125 'Doasy Doats' 545BS, 384BG with partial Bob Koch crew.

USAAF Photo

Object Number - UPL 44859 - B-17 42-107125 'Doasy Doats' 545BS, 384BG with partial Bob Koch crew.

Assigned to the 384th BG 547th BS on 6 June 1944, as crew pilot, per squadron history (microfilm A0641-00226). 29 x combat missions.





Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Man in military uniform standing in front of a tent and leaning on a tent pole.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16113296 / O-705908
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot, Pilot
Staff Sergeant Robert J. Dippold
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32729977
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Man standing in field wearing overalls.  The man is looking directly at the camera and he has his hands in his pockets.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17115041
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flexible Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-762768
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier/Navigator
Eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane parked on grass.  Six men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.  Large canvas bags are on the ground.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31298176
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Nevada Avenger
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (SO-K, serial number 42-97204) of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Bob (R.L.) Coleman, Conn.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Skylark
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane parked on grass.  Six men standing to the rear and four men kneeling in front.  Large canvas bags are on the ground.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Swamp Angel
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Reading, PA 8 October 1921 Son of Charles Brumbach and Carrie M [Helwig] Koch.

Enlisted

Reading, PA 29 June 1942 Enlisted - Reading, Pennsylvania

Died

Palm Harbor, FL 30 April 2007

Based

Grafton Underwood Assigned to 547BS, 384BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

NARA files verified DFC and AM w/3 oak leaf clusters.

Date
ContributorHotelie1970
Changes
Sources

General Order 588 from Headquarters 1st Bombardment Division, Office of the Commanding General, by Command of Brigadier General Turner, dated 6 December 1944.

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

384thbombgroup.com

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

384thbombgroup.com

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes

Robert Bruce Koch: Gallery (7 items)