Robert Thomas Heale
Military
Sent through to the museum by Robert Heale's grandson, Brent.
Object Number - UPL 19607 - Robert T Heale in front of B-17, probably at Grafton Underwood.
Staff Sergeant Robert Heale served as Crew Chief with the 545th Bomb Squadron at Grafton Underwood. He was transferred to the 368th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group at some point during his service overseas.
Connections
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Units served with
![Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377226.jpg.webp?itok=RQw6Mu-P)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Los Angeles, CA, USA | 7 August 1918 | |
|
Enlisted |
Los Angeles, CA, USA | 24 July 1942 | Worked before the war as a sheet metal worker. He was also married. |
|
Other Assigned to 404 School Squadron |
Sheppard AFB, TX, USA | 12 August 1942 | Then known as Sheppard Field |
|
Other Assigned to 419 School Squadron |
Sheppard AFB, TX, USA | 30 August 1942 | |
|
Other Assigned to 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group |
Wendover (ENV), Wendover, UT 84083, USA | 25 January 1943 | Then known as Wendover Field |
|
Other Promoted from Private to Private First Class |
4 February 1943 | ||
|
Other Promoted from Corporal (Technician) to Sergeant (Technician) |
4 May 1943 | ||
|
Other Departed for European Theater |
27 May 1943 | ||
|
Other Arrived in European Theater |
2 June 1943 | ||
|
Other Departed for USA |
23 September 1945 | ||
|
Other Arrived back in USA |
28 September 1945 | ||
| Los Angeles, CA, USA | |||
|
Other Assigned to Vega Aircraft Technical School |
Aircraft Maintenance Course, Medium Bomber | ||
|
Other Promoted from PFC to Corporal (Technician) |
|||
|
Other Promoted from Sergeant (Technician) to Staff Sergeant |
|||
|
Other Transferred from 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group to 368th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group |
1943 or 1944 - original writing hard to read. |
Revisions
Enlistment record: https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=1&tf=F&q=hea…
Scans of original documents shared with the museum by Robert Heale's grandson Brent:
Orders of assignment, order of unit transfer, honorable discharge form
