Robert L. Kearsey was born on November 11, 1916 in Georgia. He resided in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on October 8, 1940, prior to the war, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Office Clerk and also as Single, without dependents. Robert served as a Sergeant and Gunner on B-24J #44-40831, 375th Bomber Squadron, 308th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

Robert was declared "Missing In Action" when his B-24, being badly damaged and returning from a mission to bomb enemy ships in Takao Harbor off Takao (Kaohsiung) on Formosa (Taiwan), crashed into Mount Arisan in China during the war on August 31, 1944. Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, which is the actual date of his death, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until March 20, 1946 which is shown on his headstone. Robert's remains were recovered in the late 1990's and was interred with his crew at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia on August 21, 2000. His name is also commemorated on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines. A "Rosette" was placed in front of his name to signify that his remains were recovered.

Robert was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is also commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov