Robert Louis Alford

Military
media-57512.jpeg UPL 57512 Photos from Capt Alford's grand daughter Christine

Added squadron association

Object Number - UPL 57512 - Photos from Capt Alford's grand daughter Christine

Wing's lead plane, piloted by Capt Merlin "Gary" Miller and carried the 339th's commander Lt. Col. Melvin Buckner as command pilot. Prisoner of War (POW) crashed at Gustausborg on 13 Jan 45 in B-17 44-8489.



Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), PH, POW, WWII Victory, EAME (4 x Battle Stars)





From Capt Alford's grand daughter Christine on memorial day 2022:



"In memory of my grandfather, Captain Robert L Alford, bombardier, 96th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. He was lead plane/bombardier, and his plane was hit 30 seconds before hitting his target.



With the plane’s controls shot out, he was able to zero in on their target and release the bombs before having to bail out (target was close to Frankenstein)- allowing the remaining planes in their group to drop their bombs and hit their target.



Although his plane was hit and controls were knocked out, he was able to stay on target and release the bombs on board. Bail out orders were given, his plane went into a tailspin, he was knocked unconscious and was thrown from the plane. He came to just 1000ft from a river with plane wreckage tangled around his leg. He was able to pull his parachute in time to land in the Mainz River in Germany.



Local Germans loaded him in a wagon and took him to POW camp where he remained until the end of the war with a broken left leg at the hip and 3 broken ribs. Unfortunately, 4 crew members were KIA but 6 survived, although all were POW’s until the end of the war.



Thank you to all the men and women who fought for our country and did not come home. We are forever grateful."

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

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 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (AW-O, serial number 42-38133) of the 337th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "482. (44.) W.P.U. 3-2-44. Bolt Head. B-17G 42-38133. A. F.S.A.D." Handwritten caption on reverse: '96th BG. AW-O.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Reluctant Dragon
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron 413th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Personnel of the 355th Fighter Squadron at a briefing before a bomber escort mission, the tail markings of the B-24 Liberators they will escort are exhibited on the map. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'D Lewin in Breifing Room 13/1/45'
  • Date: 13 January 1945

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Del Rio, TX 22 June 1917

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Germany 13 January 1945 Prisoner of War (POW)

Died

23 December 1982

Buried

Sunset Memorial Park San Antonio, Bexar County, TX 26 December 1982 Sunset Memorial Park San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

Based

Snetterton Heath 13 January 1945 Assigned to 337BS, 96BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Clarification documents from family of Capt. Alford

Date
Changes
Sources

From Christine's Facebook post in "fans of the b-17 flying fortress" group.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 11570 / MACR 11570; Snetterton Falcons, pg 149 / MACR 11570; Snetterton Falcons, pg 149, 222, 226 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Robert Louis Alford: Gallery (2 items)