Robert Iloe Falk

Military
media-7451.jpeg UPL 7451 Crew #416
Calvin C. Owens Crew
466th BG - 784th BS

Standing Left to Right: Calvin C. Owens (P), John B. Stuart (CP), William J. Schoefield (N), Reginald D. Craig (466th BG Asst. Engineering Officer)

Kneeling Left to Right: Robert Falk (TG), Vincent DeGanna (NG), George Yost (WG), Roy Routh (FE/TT), Bill J Myers (WG), David Ernst (R/O)

This crew was shot up badly on their 4th mission together, 11 April 1944. Theynever flew together as a crew again. Schoefield and DeGanna were transferred to the Joseph Hayes Crew (Crew #406). George Yost was transferred to the Walter Hoyle Crew (Crew #402). Robert Falk jointed the Frank Cotner Crew (Crew #408) and was KIA when that crew was shot down on 29 April 1944. John B. Stuart has also joined the Cotner Crew. He survived the shoot down and was made POW. Owens was assigned to ground duties. He later returned to combat flying however first as a co-pilot on Crew #484, then taking over a pilot of this Lead Crew for 14 additional missions. Given that fact their should be no question about his ability or courage. Owens ended up being probably the only flying officer that was at Attlebridge from the first to the last day of the 466th BG's time there.

466th BG Historian

Object Number - UPL 7451 - Crew #416 Calvin C. Owens Crew 466th BG - 784th BS Standing Left to Right: Calvin C. Owens (P), John B. Stuart (CP), William J. Schoefield (N),...

Was originally the tail gunner for the Calvin C. Owens Crew. That crew was broken up after being badly shot up on their 4th mission, 11 April 1944. Falk was flying with the Cotner crew as a waist gunner 18 days later when he was KIA.



Shot down 29 April 1944 in B-24 #42-29399 'Play Boy', Killed in Action (KIA).



PH

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O 803568
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-664644
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot/Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Play Boy
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Big Flats, New York, USA 7 May 1922

Enlisted

Binghamton, NY, USA 23 December 1942

Other

Killed in Action (KIA)

Berlin, Germany 29 April 1944 Falk was KIA by flak over the target. The a/c struggled back to Holland where the rest of the crew were forced to bail out

Buried

Coopers Plains, NY 14870, USA Coopers Plains Cemetery Coopers Plains Steuben County New York, USA

Born

Chemung County, NY, USA

Revisions

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added some punctuation in the "Summary biography" to aid readability.

 

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Contributor466thHistorian
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466th BG Historian

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Contributor466thHistorian
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466th BG Historian

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Contributor466thHistorian
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466th BG Historian

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ContributorAAM
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Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 4448 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Robert Iloe Falk: Gallery (3 items)