Robert Lawrence Dykeman
MilitaryRobert Dykeman was Co-Pilot on B-17G #42-31968 'Miss Irish'. On return from a mission to Marquise/Mimoyecques, France on 19 March 1944, the ship made an emergency landing at Raydon after taking a direct hit from an 88mm in the radio room. Returned to Duty (RTD). Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 15220.
On 29 July 1944, he baled out from B-17G #42-31537 and landed near Niedermöllern, about 2km NE of the crash location near Punschrau, Germany. Killed while prisoner of war by local policeman. Perpetrator sentenced to death and hanged at Landsberg on 10 June 1947. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 7809.
At NARA’s WWII POW records, he’s listed as “Robert DICKEMAN” – Died as a prisoner of War in Germany 30 July 1944 ( https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=466&mtch=1&cat=WR26&t… )
On the William T. Fitzroy page at https://100thbg.com/index.php?option=com_bombgrp&view=personnel&id=1648… , Fitzroy states he saw 12 Americans hanged and shot by the Germans on 29 July 1944 after bailing out. Among them were Robert Dykeman, Ira Arnold and Floyd Douglas from his crew.
On page 48 of MACR 8212 at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/91049912, Dykeman is mentioned as shot on 30 July 1944 while trying to escape.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12127423
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13038519 at enlistment, then O-755538
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-803182
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot / Squadron Commander
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38128736 at enlistment, then O-808050
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-691761
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
Missions
Places
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, United States | 1 June 1921 | |
|
Enlisted |
11 June 1942 | Los Angeles, California | |
|
Other Bailed out |
29 July 1944 | of B-17#42-31537 | |
|
Other captured |
30 July 1944 | ||
|
Other Killed as a Prisoner of War |
30 July 1944 | ||
|
Buried |
30 July 1944 | cemetery of Hassenhausen, Germany | |
| Canoga Park, Los Angeles County, California | |||
|
Buried |
after the war, his remains were brought back to the US. Robert Dykeman rests at the Glen Haven Memorial Park in Sylmar, Los Angeles County, California |
Revisions
NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft Card
Robert Dykeman’s 1949 Headstone Application -
https://www.fold3.com/title/926/headstone-applications-1925-1963
MACR 7809
MACR 8212
NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records
Combat Sup, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 7809 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database