Robert Gordon Green was born in Kessuth, Iowa, on October 15, 1923, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Green. He graduated from Osage High School in 1940. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on June 2, 1942, and was called to duty on December 2, 1942.

He was accepted as an Aviation Cadet, and took pre-flight training at Ellington Field, Texas. He graduated from the Bombardier School at San Angelo, Texas in July 1943. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and awarded bombardier wings. He then received advanced training at Lowery Field, Colorado; Moses Lake, Washington; and Drew Field, Florida.

In November 1943, he was assigned to the 388th Bomb Group, and deployed to England in January, 1944 by means of the Southern Ferry Route, through Brazil. Arriving in England, he was assigned the 562nd Bomb Squadron and to a B-17 combat crew.

This crew flew 8 missions on bombing raids over Europe by April. On April 11, they were to participate in a bombing raid on the Keinkel Aircraft Works near Polsen, Poland. The bomber stream arrived at the enemy-held coast near Stettin and encountered moderate to heavy flak, without damage.

Because of weather conditions, visual bombing was ruled out and the lead crew decided to make the run utilizing the PathFinder aircraft (radar equipped.) By the time the target was reached, the weather had improved and a visual drop was made. During the turn off target, the formation was attacked by approximately 25 German fighters.

One of the fighters made an attack on Green's aircraft, and destroyed most of the vertical stabilizer. The aircraft stayed in formation for a few minutes, then abruptly dove, and crashed into the sea. Observers verified 5 parachutes were seen prior to impact, but the crew must have drowned or died in the icy water.

Three of the crew are listed as Killed in Action on the Missing Air Crew Report; the remainder are listed as Buried At Sea (BAS.) This indicates three bodies were recovered as at least 2 of those designated KIA are buried in Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial at Neuville-en-Condroz near Liege, Belgium. 2Lt Green was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, airforce.togetherweserved.com