POW crashed near Schieben on 19 Mar 45 in B-17 #44-8704. Came down SW of Calau. On the following day Sgt. Roberts was escorted by Germans to the churchyard of a small town where his comrades were lain out in a wagon prior to burial.

"T-Sgt Steele F. Roberts preceeded me in jumping from forward escape hatch. Sgt. Roberts flying as top gunner was first one aware of our peril and after being certain he could no longer assist pilot, dove to catwalk under pilot compartment, released door and jumped."

"Sgt Roberts after capture, was taken to a small Church yard outside of a small unknown town, and was asked by his captors to identify the bodies of eight men. He did not tell his captors that they were members of his aircrew but satisfied himself beyond a doubt that these men were members of his crew. The above mentioned officer was positively identified as one."

Service

Events

Event	Location	Date
Born	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA	1921
Enlisted	Pittsburgh, PA, USA	15 August 1942
Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Prisoner of War (POW)	Germany	19 March 1945
Died	Sewickley, PA 15143, USA	11 February 2000
Steele M. Roberts, 78, of Sewickley, on Friday, Feb. 11, 2000. Beloved husband of Mary Speidel Roberts; father of Steele M. Jr. and E. Dexter Roberts; brother of Olive Roberts Kuhn and Joseph L. Roberts; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in Christ Church at Grove Farm, 243 Duff Road, Ohio Township, Sewickley, Monday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. John Guest officiating. Arrangements by R.D. COPELAND'S IRVINE CHAPEL, 702 Beaver St., Sewickley.