Robert K Bieber Sr

Military
media-16462.jpeg UPL 16462 Crew #668
Walter M. Bowen Crew
466th BG - 786th BS

Standing Left to Right: Walter M. Bowen (P), Arthur J. Dyson (CP), Daniel L. McDermott (B), John D. Howard (N)

Kneeling Left to Right: A.H. Wells (WG), William J. Hunter (TG), F.M. Sullivan (R/O), H.A. Ruth (NG), J.M. Nesius (FE), Robert K. Bieber (BTG)

Walter Bowen never got to lead his crew into combat. He was killed on a training mission on 16 September 1944 when the B-24 he was riding in as an observer collided with another B-24. Robert W. Svobodny was assigned as pilot and lead this crew for their first 24 missions. Arthur Dyson then took over and lead the crew for their final 11 combat missions. 466th Bomb Group collection

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Object Number - UPL 16462 - Crew #668 Walter M. Bowen Crew 466th BG - 786th BS Standing Left to Right: Walter M. Bowen (P), Arthur J. Dyson (CP), Daniel L. McDermott (B), ...

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?'

466th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Walter M Bowen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-710552
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Arthur J Dyson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot/Pilot

Robert W Svobodny

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

42-94902

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Stardust
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 786th Bomb Squadron

44-10521

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Laden Maid
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th 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).

Attlebridge

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Bethlehem, PA, USA 21 August 1925

Enlisted

New Cumberland, PA, USA 12 December 1943

Died

Topton, PA, USA 12 January 2001 Robert K. Bieber Sr., 75, of Bethlehem, died Friday, Jan. 12, in the Lutheran Home at Topton. He was the husband of Virginia (Lehman) Bieber, who died in 1994. He was director of American Family Services 1985-1988. Previously, he was executive director of the Christian Shelter, Salisbury Md., 1983-84, executive director of the Young Men's Christian Association, Stroudsburg, 1975-82, program director at the YMCA, Bridgeport, Conn., 1973-75, executive director of the YMCA, Bethlehem, 1967-73, and program director of the YMCA, Williamsport, 1963-67. He was a foreman at the blast furnace of Bethlehem Steel Corp. 1947-63 Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Truman I. and Alma (King) Bieber. He was a former member of Christ Episcopal Church, Stroudsburg, where he was a member of the official board and sang in the choir. He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion, National Legionnaire. He was a member of the International Business Men, the Men of Retirement Age Club and Chorus, and a 32nd-degree Mason, Valley of Williamsport. He was a member of the Bach Choir, and a soloist for the Beethoven Manechor, Leithsville. He was a former accountant for the Bethlehem and Bethlehem Steel clubs and a former member of the Stroudsburg Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club of Bethlehem. Survivors: Daughter, Cheryl B. Meitzler of Kutztown; sons, Frederick L. of Palmyra., Lebanon County, David F. of Bethlehem; sisters, Jeanette Erdell of St. Petersburg, Fla., Phyllis Moyer of Morgantown, Berks County, Joyce Nicholls in Maine; brother, Gerald of Park Forest, Ill.; nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Robert K. Jr. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem. Call 10-11 a.m. Wednesday in the church. Arrangements, Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem.

Buried

Bethlehem, PA, USA 16 January 2001 Nisky Hill Cemetery Bethlehem Northampton County Pennsylvania, USA Plot: Section M

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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466th BG Historian

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in the book 'Attlebridge Arsenal' by Wassom & Brassford, page 343

Robert K Bieber: Gallery (2 items)

Object number: UPL 15920 - Crew #668 Robert W. Svobodny Crew/A.J. Dyson Crew...

Object number: UPL 16462 - Crew #668 Walter M. Bowen Crew 466th BG - 786th BS...