Robert L Vidler

Military

Assigned to 574BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF. 21 missions flown. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany. A/C B-26 42-95865 tail shot off by fighters, went down out of control. 1st member of crew to bale out. Killed in Action (KIA). 23-Dec-44 MACR 11664.



Awards: PH.

Connections

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Units served with

An airman of the 391st Bomb Group wearing a service dress jacket and kilt. Written on slide casing: '391 BG.'

391st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Clyde G Brown

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 574th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18015066 / O-424095
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bomber pilot

Aircraft

42-95865

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Skyhag
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 574th Bomb Squadron 575th Bomb Squadron

Missions

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-95865) nicknamed "Sky Hag" of the 391st Bomb Group.

757

  • Date: 23 December 1944

Places

Aerial photograph of Matching airfield looking south, the technical site is on the left, 19 July 1948. Photograph taken by No. 58 Squadron, sortie number RAF/58/62.English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Matching

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Matching Green

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Colorado, USA 12 February 1923 Son of Sam William and Adelia M Vidler.

Enlisted

Sacramento, CA, USA 8 February 1943

Died

Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany 23 December 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany. A/C B-26 42-95865 tail shot off by fighters, went down out of control. 1st member of crew to bale out. KIA. 23-Dec-44 MACR 11664.
Solano County, CA, USA

Based

Matching 23 December 1944 Assigned to 574BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF.

Buried

Buried

San Bruno, CA, USA Golden Gate National Cemetery San Bruno San Mateo County California, USA

Revisions

Date
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Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/page/639664454_robert_l%20vidler/details/
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmdate.asp?thedate=441223&Submi…
http://www.b26.com/page/marauder_missions_december_23_1944.htm
https://www.fold3.com/image/46705661
https://www.fold3.com/page/90984589_robert_l%20vidler/details/
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=3616975