Robert John Kropp was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 18 Nov 1915. As a child, he worked as a newsboy. He graduated high school and college and worked for a long time as treasurer at McGillis and Gibbs, a company that sold telephone poles. Robert enlisted in the Army Air Corps on 22 May, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during World War II. He was 26 years old. He was apart of the 447th Bombardment Squad and flew as navigator in 30 missions in the B-17s. The Beaty crew flew their real first mission on 4 Jan 1944 after an abort on 30 Dec 1943, target Kiel, in 42-31144 Miss America. On the way to target, they experienced oxygen failure and three men passed out. Robert's crew-mate, ROG S/SGT John Smith was awarded the DFC for enabling them to continue to Kiel despite their oxygen failure, as noted in "WW II DIARY", penned by Captain Beaty. Other instances are noted in this diary, which can be found on 447bg.com. Robert was later also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for in-air achievements over the course of several missions, and became a member of the "Lucky Bastards Club" for surviving 30 missions. Out of the entire 710th Squadron, the Beaty crew was the only one to finish intact. Robert returned to America in late 1944, and married Bernadine Marcella Wiese. He then had two children, James Robert and Victoria J Kropp. Robert John Kropp died in his hometown on 18 Oct, 1993. He was 77 years old. He was survived by his son, daughter, and two grandchildren.