Robert Otto Kitchin was born at Ogden, Iowa, the son of Harvey Rollin Kitchin and Sarah Josephine Stevens. He graduated at Greenwood High School, Miss. in 1937.
Aircraft B-25D-1 with serialnumber 41-30179 departed from Durand Field, New Guinea on a strike mission to Cape Gourdon & Croissiles. The aircraft crashed about 15 miles southwest of Madang near Nuru River.
Crewmembers
Pilot, 1st Lt Harry Serser
Co-Pilot, F/O Robert O. Kitchin
Bombardier-Navigator, 1st Lt Albert W. Heatter Jr.
Radio Operator-Gunner, S/Sgt Melvin C. Fearnow
Gunner, S/Sgt John Williams
Robert Kitchin was initially buried at USAF Cemetery Finschaffen #1 at British New Guinea and re-buried at Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, Plot F, Row 15, Grave 91. He entered the service from Mississippi.
Robert’s mother was my grandmother and her name was Mabrl Della Zehman.–Karen Heidel
- Rank: Flight Officer
- Date of birth: 20 July 1919
- Date of death: 16 January 1944
- County: Blount
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 71st Bomber Squadron, 38th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VI, Bottom Panel
- Sponsored by: Karen Heidel
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