Steele M Roberts

Military
media-32744.jpeg UPL 32744 96th Bomb Group, 339th Bomb Squadron, crew members identified as "Marty" Zajicek and Steele M. Roberts. Neal T. Hurst

The photograph survived in my Great Uncle's Footlocker, Lt. David L. Thomas

Object Number - UPL 32744 - 96th Bomb Group, 339th Bomb Squadron, crew members identified as "Marty" Zajicek and Steele M. Roberts.

POW crashed near Schieben on 19 Mar 45 in B-17 #44-8704. Came down SW of Calau. On the following day Sgt. Roberts was escorted by Germans to the churchyard of a small town where his comrades were lain out in a wagon prior to burial.



"T-Sgt Steele F. Roberts preceeded me in jumping from forward escape hatch. Sgt. Roberts flying as top gunner was first one aware of our peril and after being certain he could no longer assist pilot, dove to catwalk under pilot compartment, released door and jumped."



"Sgt Roberts after capture, was taken to a small Church yard outside of a small unknown town, and was asked by his captors to identify the bodies of eight men. He did not tell his captors that they were members of his aircrew but satisfied himself beyond a doubt that these men were members of his crew. The above mentioned officer was positively identified as one."



Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2062638
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-713570
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36 698 781
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

Pittsburgh, PA, USA 15 August 1942 Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law

Died

Sewickley, PA 15143, USA 11 February 2000 Steele M. Roberts, 78, of Sewickley, on Friday, Feb. 11, 2000. Beloved husband of Mary Speidel Roberts; father of Steele M. Jr. and E. Dexter Roberts; brother of Olive Roberts Kuhn and Joseph L. Roberts; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in Christ Church at Grove Farm, 243 Duff Road, Ohio Township, Sewickley, Monday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. John Guest officiating. Arrangements by R.D. COPELAND'S IRVINE CHAPEL, 702 Beaver St., Sewickley.

Born

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Germany 19 March 1945

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.

Date
Contributorkneelhurst
Changes
Sources

Added information from MACR report

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 13571 / MACR 13571; Snetterton Falcons, pg 187, 239 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Steele M Roberts: Gallery (2 items)