He enlisted in December 1942 then criss-crossed the country on myriad training course before landing up at Aerial Gunnery School in Texas. After crew assignment he sailed over on the 'Aquitania' in November 1944 to join the Group at Debach. A crew which shared his Nissen hut was flying off his left wing when they were shot down, 6 men killed and 3 taken POW. Robert flew on 30 combat missions and two food 'drops' over Holland 'It was very heart warming to be greeted by people on the rooftops spelling out 'Thanks Yanks' in tulips'. After military service he graduated from Iowa Law School and worked in banking.