Robert J Karl

Military
media-16021.jpeg UPL 16021 S/Sgt Robert J Karl 322 BS, 91st Bomb Group (H) B17 Tail Gunner 42-5428 'Black Magic' 25 ETO missions 1943 - 44. This photo from his personal Album.

Tony Ansell Collection - S/Sgt Karl's personal papers

Object Number - UPL 16021 - S/Sgt Robert J Karl 322 BS, 91st Bomb Group (H) B17 Tail Gunner 42-5428 'Black Magic' 25 ETO missions 1943 - 44. This photo from his personal Album.

Robert J Karl was born on February 11, 1923 at La Crosse, Wisconsin and enlisted on January 13, 1943 at Milwaukee, after four years of High School.



After aerial gunner training with the Air Corps he was assigned to 322nd Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group (H), flying B-17's at Bassingbourn, England in the ETO. This is the group made famous by the 'Memphis Belle'. He flew as tail gunner in B-17 #42-5428 'Black Magic' as part of Lt. Frank R Jackson's crew.



Robert completed 25 missions from December 1943 to March 1944 at a time when the casualty rate for B-17 combat crews was running at 89%. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.



After the war Robert returned to La Crosse and passed away on April 1 1994.

He rests at La Crosse Catholic Cemetery.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Black Magic
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

La Crosse, WI, USA 11 February 1923

Died

1 April 1994

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
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Removed extra info in the "Role/job" field.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
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Corrected aircraft serial number of B-17 'Black Magic' from 42-5248 to 42-5428.

Date
ContributorLucy May
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Added Connections from information in the Biography field.

Date
ContributorTony A
Changes
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NARA
Find A Grave
S/Sgt Karl's personal papers.

Date
ContributorTony A
Changes
Sources

NARA
Find a Grave
S/Sgt Karl's personal papers.

Date
ContributorTony A
Changes
Sources

Tony Ansell Collection - S/Sgt Karl's personal papers

Robert J Karl: Gallery (1 items)