Robert L Davis
Military
Object Number - UPL 43926 - Robert Davis’ name on the Tablets of the Missing at the Ardennes American Cemetery
Robert Davis was Engineer/Top Turret gunner on B-17 #42-39887 “Pickle Dropper IV” on the 5 June 1944 mission to the Boulogne coastal defences, France, in preparation for the D-Day invasion. The Fortress crashed in the Channel, with no survivors. Killed In Action (KIA), he is still listed as Missing In Action (MIA).
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33529901
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35090696
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-755626
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32553930
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15320641
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Pickle dropper iv
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 5 June 1944
- Official Description: 629 Heavy Bombers attack 6 coastal defence installations in Cherbourg-Caen area and 8 in Pas de Calais area, along with 3 V-weapon sites and a railroad bridge. 6 Bombers are lost.
Places
![A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31027) nicknamed "Honey Chile" and their dog and monkey mascots "Scrappy" and "Joe". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289774.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘AERIAL MASCOTS OF FORTRESS CREWS. PH/MoN. As frisky and friendly a pair of aerial mascots as you'll find in Britain are "Scrappy" and "Joe", pup and monkey team belonging to the](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380433.jpg.webp?itok=L7HbOA_i)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Parham
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
English Channel | 5 June 1944 | in the loss of B-17 #42-39887, off the coast of Dieppe, France |
|
Born |
Charleston, West Virginia, USA | ||
|
Other Memorialized |
Ardennes American Cemetery, Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium | on the Tablets of the Missing at the Ardennes American Cemetery |
Revisions
ABMC website
MACR 5480
ABMC website
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 5480 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
