Robert H. Adams flew many missions with the 323rd Bomb Group. Promoted to Captain he was Pilot of B-26 Serial #42-107588 on the 14 January 1945 mission to bomb the bridge at Steinebrück, Saint-Vith, Belgium.
On page 4 of MACR 11926, Captain Adams states that "shortly after leaving the I.P. (Initial Point), we encountered accurate heavy Flak. We took evasive action until we had about a one minute bomb run left. After making 2 course corrections, 107588 was hit by a very close burst of Flak and a fire broke out immediately between my rudder pedals. As the ship was knocked partially out of control, the bombing run was spoiled." Adams called to the crew to prepare to bail out, and at that time, the bombs went away. The Navigator bailed out immediately and the Bombardier came out of the nose. "As the Bombardier passed me, I waited a few seconds and started to follow him. The Bombardier had trouble with his chute, so I returned to the controls. The fire drove me to the Co-Pilot’s seat where I continued to fly until the Bombardier was able to jump. I followed him after an unknown interval." Captain Adams adds that he landed about 3 miles inside the American lines and was not made prisoner.
For his action that day, Captain Adams was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSC) :
"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert H. Adams, Major (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-26 Medium Bomber in the 453d Bombardment Squadron, 323d Bombardment Group (M), Ninth Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 14 January 1945, against enemy ground targets in Europe. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Major Adams on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces." [ Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 37 (1945) ]
Promoted to Major, Robert Adams was piloting a 323rd BG/453rd aircraft that left the Gablingen (Augsburg, Germany) airfield on August 16, 1945 and was killed “in the line of duty” on that day. The plane (a “Gotha” ? - Serial unknown) crashed near Haunstetten (airfield), to the South of Augsburg. As the Gotha was an all-wing German model, it is probable he was flying it in some test flight? Major Adams was initially buried, probably in Germany, and his remains were brought to the US for interment at the Riga cemetery in Churchville, New York, United States on December 21, 1948.

Service

Events

Event	Location	Date
Born	Riga, New York, United States	22 July 1916
Enlisted	Rochester, New York, United States	April 1942
Died	near Haunstetten, Augsburg, Germany	16 August 1945
Killed “in the line of duty” on that day. The plane (a “Gotha” ? - Serial unknown) crashed near Haunstetten, to the South of Augsburg.
Buried	Riga cemetery in Churchville, New York, United States	21 December 1948
Major Adams was probably first buried in Germany and his remains were brought to the US for interment at the Riga cemetery in Churchville, New York, United States on December 21, 1948.
Lived in	Churchville, New York, United States