Robert Lewis Seal was born in Hawkins County, Tenn. to Robert Lucas Seal and Minnie Bell Davis. He enlisted at Camp Forrest, TN, 1 Nov 1942.

Died 18 Mar 1944
Buried Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France, K, 22, 21

Aircraft B-17F with serial number 42-30810 was on an operations mission to Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. The aircraft was downed by a fighter and crashed near Dittishausen 5 km north of Loeffingen/Black Forrest, 2000 meters northeast of the village. S/Sgt Seal was initially buried on 24 March 1944 at Dittishausen together with two other crew members. In picture below, he is in back row, standing, second in from left.

Crew members
Pilot, 2nd Lt Robert William Muirhead
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Robert W. Besse
Navigator, F/O Leonard Paul Hoefferle
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Frank Spencer Jr.
Engineer, T/Sgt John Irtis McMilan Jr.
Radio Operator-RG, Sgt Jerry Franklin Peck
Assistant Engineer-RW, S/Sgt Edgar J. Weislegel
Assistant RO-BT, Sgt Robert Zane Haase
Armorer-TG, S/Sgt Roert Bruton Blackburn
Assistant Armorer, S/Sgt Robert L. Seal Jr.

I am a local historian close to the crash site. Robert Seal was buried in the village of Dittishausen close to the crash site.
We plan to set a memorial stone at the place of crash to remember. This will take place this year and therefore I am searching for all information on Rob Seal
Thank you
Rolf Ebnet (luftakrobat@icloud.com)

  • Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Date of birth:
  • 9 February 1922
  • Date of death: 18 March 1944
  • County: Hamblen
  • Hometown: Morristown
  • Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
  • Division/Assignment: 338th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group, Heavy
  • Theater: Europe
  • Conflict: World War II
  • Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
  • Burial/Memorial Location: Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold (Moselle), France
  • Location In Memorial: Pillar X, Top Panel
  • Sponsored by: Steve Seal

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