Robert Whitney Cogswell
Military
Rear L-R: S/Sgt Augustus V Brundage, 1Lt John D Kennedy, Capt Robert W Cogswell, 1Lt Hershel R DeWall, 1Lt Edward L Cobb.
Front L-R: S/Sgt Paul Kistulentz, S/Sgt Harold R Timm, S/Sgt Paul J Davis, T/Sgt Gilbert E Bengston, S/Sgt Alvin Etheredge.
Object Number - UPL 31588 - Lt Cogwell and crew of the 360th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group based in England, pose in front Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Shangrila Lil'. 16...
Assigned to 360BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. Survived a ditching, emergency landing and finally a bale out. Medically grounded after aborting a mission on 26-Sep-43 due to back injuries during the bail-out. Transferred to Squadron/Group Operations.
Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (4OLC), PH, WWII Victory, EAME, Korean and UN Service Medal, National Defense and Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Post war: Remained in USAF seving in Korean War, rising to Major, was lost in B-29A 44-61940, set upon by Migs and with a damaged engine headed out into and crashed in the Yellow Sea posted MIA 23-Oct-51, presumed dead on 28-Feb-54 Killed in Action (KIA).
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734922
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16096304
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
Places
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 17 August 1918 | |
|
Enlisted |
Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 3 February 1941 | |
|
Other Ditched |
22 miles off Felixstowe, UK | 30 July 1943 | Ditched into North Sea 22 miles off Felixstowe 30-Jul-43 rescued ASR 10 x RTD. B-17 42-29738 'Upstairs Maid' |
|
Other Emergency landing |
RAF Manston, Ramsgate CT12 5BB, UK | 27 August 1943 | Battle damaged - emergency belly landing at Manston, Kent 27-Aug-43 10 RTD. B-17F 42-2973 'Iza Vailable' |
|
Other Baled out WIA |
New Alresford, Alresford SO24, UK | 26 September 1943 | Mission abort, full bomb load propellor run away on #4, engine afire, ordered crew bale out, stayed with A/C to ensure it missed Alresford. Late Bale out caused torn back ligaments. WIA 26-Sep-43 B-17 42-5434 'Lady Luck' |
|
Other Hospitalised |
Winchester, UK | 26 September 1943 | Hospitalised in body cast, back ligament damage. |
|
Died |
Yellow Sea | 23 October 1951 | KIA in a B-29 crash in the Yellow Sea. |
|
Buried |
Korean War Veterans Memorial, 130 Riverside Dr, Dayton, OH 45405, USA | Body never recovered Listed on Korean War Memorial Dayton, OH | |
|
Based |
Molesworth | 26 September 1943 | Assigned to 360BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. Flying duties. |
|
Based |
Molesworth | Transferred to Squadron/Group Operations. |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/page/85205605-robert-w-cogswell/facts
https://www.fold3.com/image/312802076?terms=Robert%20W%20Cogswell
http://www.303rdbg.com/360cogswell.html
https://alresfordmemories.wordpress.com/2015/11/15/the-crash-of-lady-lu…
https://www.stripes.com/news/town-honors-wwii-pilot-who-averted-deadly-…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13593519/robert-whitney-cogswell
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118084786/robert-whitney-cogswell
https://www.fold3.com/page/85205605-robert-w-cogswell/facts
https://www.fold3.com/image/312802076?terms=Robert%20W%20Cogswell
http://www.303rdbg.com/360cogswell.html
https://alresfordmemories.wordpress.com/2015/11/15/the-crash-of-lady-lu…
https://www.stripes.com/news/town-honors-wwii-pilot-who-averted-deadly-…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13593519/robert-whitney-cogswell
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118084786/robert-whitney-cogswell
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Roll of Honor, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey p. 208, 291 / http://www.303rdbg.com/360cogswell.html#