Robert S O'Connor
Military ROLL OF HONOUR1st Lieutenant Robert S. O’Connor was born October 16, 1918. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur O’Connor. His hometown was Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He was pilot of 42-5360 "The Old faithful" on the mission of 11 June 1943.
On July 4, 1943, he was the Pilot of “The Mugger,” B-17 tail #42-5792, of the 303rd Bomb Group, 427th Bomb Squadron, when it was shot down by fighters over Laval, France on 4 July 1943. With one engine on fire, the plane crashed outside Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, France, where a monument was erected to Robert O'connor and Bombardier Richard Peterson who were killed.
Robert S. O'connor is buried at the US Military Cemetery at St. Laurent, France. Awards : Air Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 7071292
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 4 July 1943
- Date: 11 June 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Milwaukee, WI, USA | 16 October 1918 | 1st Lieutenant Robert S. O’Connor was born October 16, 1918. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur O’Connor. His hometown was Milwaukee, Wisconsin. |
Died |
4 July 1943 | On July 4, 1943, he was the Pilot of “The Mugger,” B-17 tail #42-5792, of the 303rd Bomb Group, 427th Bomb Squadron, when it went down over Laval, France. | |
Buried |
He is buried at the US Military Cemetery at St. Laurent, France. |
Revisions
IDPF and/or crash report researched by Bill Beigel. IDPF donated to American Air Museum by Bill Beigel. For more information about this flyer, you may contact http://ww2research.com.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Roll of Honor, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. 1 by Bishop & Hey pp. 175-6, ABMC,