Robert W Sheets

Military
media-26646.jpeg UPL 26646 Captain John E Fletcher and lead crew on bombing mission to Ludwigshafen, Germany, in front of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 44-8137. 427th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group. England, 5 September 1944.

Object Number - UPL 26646 - Captain John E Fletcher and lead crew on bombing mission to Ludwigshafen, Germany, in front of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 44-8137. 427th Bomb...

After attending the University of Oregon, Robert Sheets worked in the Philippine Islands for some time. He entered the services as a private in the armed forces and later transferred to the Air Corps as an aviation cadet. He graduated and received his pilot's wings in April, 1943.

Robert Sheets joined the 427th Squadron in October, 1943, as a 2nd Lt. Because of his flying ability he soon became outstanding and it wasn't long before he was leading the squadron and then the group formations on missions. When Lt. Col. Edgar E. Snyder was relieved of his command of the squadron to become deputy group commander in November, 1944, Captain Sheets took over, receiving his promotion to Major shortly thereafter. He has done a superior job in keeping the squadron's excellent record intact.



Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (4OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-523465
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19098550
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O811561
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron The Writing 69th
  • Role/Job: War Correspondent United Press
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13103980
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer

Aircraft

Captain Albert W. Dieffenback, a bombardier of the 303rd Bomb Group, admires Bugs Bunny painted onto the nose of his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed as censored 9 May 1943. Printed caption on reverse: '14. Captain Albert W. Dieffenbach, of Garrett Park, Md., and the bomber in which he flies as group bombardier.' On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamp].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: S For Sugar
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

Missions

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97904) nicknamed "Lady Janette" of the 452nd Bomb Group drops bombs over the target. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Stuttgart 5 Sept 44. 452 BG Mott A/C.'
  • Date: 5 September 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

17 November 1918

Died

Salem, OR 21 December 2000

Buried

Willamette National Cemetery Portland, Multnomah County, OR 24 December 2000 Willamette National Cemetery Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon

Based

Molesworth Assigned to 427BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Commissioned

Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
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Contributorjmoore43
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Updated Buried event location.

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Information taken from the 303rd Bomb Group Unit History.

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added birth, death & burial info per Find-a-grave MEMORIAL #36367500.

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ContributorDr Daniel
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People linked to this individual added, see the official 303rd website for details: http://www.303rdbg.com/427sheets.html

Date
ContributorDr Daniel
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Aircraft added, see 303rd official website for details: http://www.303rdbg.com/427sheets.html

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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Key image ID.

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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Key image ID.

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ContributorAAM
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Robert W Sheets: Gallery (5 items)