Robert W Barrall

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-30083.jpeg UPL 30083 1st Lt Robert W Barrell [ Berwick, Penn ], bombardier of the Boeing B-17 'Old Bill' is congratulated by his fiance, 2nd Lt Marion McClelland of Burlington, Virginia, after he received the distinguished service cross during a ceremony at Chelveston, England 25-Jul-43.
Barrell was killed on 31-Aug-43 during a night-flying experiment aboard 42-5376 "Eager Eagle", after collision with an RAF Beaufighter.

Object Number - UPL 30083 - 1st Lt Robert W Barrell [ Berwick, Penn ], bombardier of the Boeing B-17 'Old Bill' is congratulated by his fiance, 2nd Lt Marion McClelland of...

Assigned to 422BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. On 15-May-43 20 mm shells from Fw190 came through nose, shot away plexiglass of B-17 'Old Bill' B-17 42-29673 killing the navigator and wounding both pilots, Barrall flew the A/C home where the pilot having recovered sufficiently, landed. Suffered collision on night-flying experiment with RAF beafighter on training flight in B17 42-5376 'Eager Eagle'. 31-Aug-43. Killed non Operational (KNO).



Awards: DSC, DFC, AM(10 OLC),SS, PH.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31125603
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Old Bill
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Eager Eagle
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

Harrisburg, PA, USA 16 October 1941

Died

Foulsham, Dereham NR20 5RY, UK 31 August 1943 Suffered collision on night-flying experiment with RAF Beaufighter on training flight in B17 42-5376 'Eager Eagle'. 31-Aug-43. Killed non Operational (KNO).

Buried

4 September 1943 Interred Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial

Born

Berwick, PA, USA Son of Oscar U and Clara J Barrall.

Based

Chelveston 31 August 1943 Assigned to 422BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF.
Nanticoke, PA 18634, USA

Buried

N Market St, Berwick, PA 18603, USA Re-Interred Pine Grove Cemetery Annex Berwick Columbia County Pennsylvania, USA

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey p. 259, pp 122-1, 259

Robert W Barrall: Gallery (4 items)