Robert J Karl
MilitaryTony Ansell Collection - S/Sgt Karl's personal papers
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
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- 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
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
La Crosse, WI, USA | 11 February 1923 | |
Died |
1 April 1994 |
Revisions
Corrected aircraft serial number of B-17 'Black Magic' from 42-5248 to 42-5428.