Robert Donald Fox

Military
media-18403.jpeg UPL 18403 Crew #535
Edward F. Kaspshak Crew
466th BG - 785th BS

Standing Left to Right: Edward F. Kaspshak (P), Peter P. Igoe (N), Thomas Baker (B), James J. Ruzicka (CP)

Kneeling Left to Right: Russell Jackson (R/O), Robert D. Fox (LWG), Louis J. McCarville (FE), Peter Guiegello (TG), Lawrence M. Brunstrom (BTG), Gene Carroll (RWG)

This crew was shot down on their 14th combat mission, 18 July 1944. Kaspshak, Ruzicka, Igoe and McCarville were all KIA.

Attlebridge Arsenal - Brassfield & Wassom

Object Number - UPL 18403 - Crew #535 Edward F. Kaspshak Crew 466th BG - 785th BS Standing Left to Right: Edward F. Kaspshak (P), Peter P. Igoe (N), Thomas Baker (B),...

Shot down by flak and crashed into Baltic on 7/18/44 in B-24 'Spare Parts' #41-29350, Prisoner of War (POW).



POW

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33-018-691
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-712143
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-811824
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Spare Parts
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

16 March 1924

Other

Shot Down/Captured

18 July 1944

Died

11 June 2008 Son of George B. & Edith (Opdahl) Fox. Married to Marjorie Ann Blacketer on 10-19-1947 at Grand Island, NE. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps during WW II, and served as a gunner and flight engineer on a B-24 Bomber during World War II. He was stationed at Attlebridge, England. On his 20th mission his plane was shot down; he was wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans. He later escaped the German prison with the aid of the French Underground and was returned to the American sector. Bob was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. He worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in the plant and commercial departments in Grand Island and Omaha, and was the local manager in North Platte for five years. He then transferred to Mountain Bell Telephone Company and held positions in Denver, Flagstaff, Arizona and Boulder. After 25 years, he left the telephone company to become a national sales representative for Storage Technology Corporation. In 1971, the family moved back to Grand island where Bob was associated with Houck Distribution Company for several years. He then became a partner in Desch-Paine Monument Company, and eventually the owner. Bob was a member of the National Ski Patrol, Quiet Birdmen, Monument Builders of North America, American Legion, American Ex-Prisoners of War, and Riverside Golf Club.  

Buried

14 June 2008 Grand Island Cemetery Grand Island Hall County Nebraska, USA Plot: Section K, Lot 181

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Capitalized the words in the "Role/job" field to aid readability.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the A/C tail # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 8163 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Robert Donald Fox: Gallery (4 items)