TSgt. Bob Leftwich was a B-17 Radio Operator/ Gunner on the B-17G, 44-8080, one of the two B-17Gs, named, The Saint, and was assigned to the 570th Bomb Squadron, the 390th Bomb Group, in the 8th Air Force, USAAF. Crew Number 59. He flew on and survived 25 combat missions over Europe and Germany. Late in 1944, Sgt. Leftwich was killed in action (KIA) in his airplane, 44-8080, The Saint, and Failed to Return (FTR) after a mission to Merseburg, Germany. The aircraft, 42-97407, The As-Te-Risk, was hit and damaged by flak, causing it's pilot to lose control of his plane, which skidded into a subsequent mid air collision with Sgt. Leftwich's plane, The Saint, sealing his fate, and most of the crew of, The As-Te-Risk, with 10 killed (KIA) and six bailed out and were captured. 6 POW 10 KIA. 30 Nov 1944. MACR 11131



Awards: Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters - Purple Heart - WWII Victory Medal - EAMEC Medal - Army Good Conduct Medal