Second Lieutenant Robert F. Brooks was born on 9 October 1921 and died on 21 November 1944. He entered the service on 18 July 1942 at Knoxville with Army serial number 14132169. He died with Army serial number O-717741. He was a bombardier on A/C 42-95180, nicknamed “Satan’s Little Sister II”.
On 21 November 1944, the American B-24 H 42-95180 had departed from Bungay, England targeting Hamburg. The aircraft was hit by flak under the left wing, motor no. 1 and 2 out. On the return to England, it turned south to try to reach liberated south-Netherlands. Their fuel ran out, and the pilot let the crew jump on the southern coastline of Lake IJsselmeer, but wind blew seven parachutes into the water. Only the two pilots landed on the dike. The other seven drowned. Brooks’ body washed up near Spakenburg 6 February 1945. He is buried at the Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, TN.
For further information, see https://www.zzairwar.nl/dossiers/341.html
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 9 October 1921
- Date of death: 21 November 1944
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 446th Bomber Group, 706th Bomber Squadron
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Bottom Panel
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