Robert Jim Powers was born on October 3, 1921 in Wilburton, Oklahoma and ttended grade school at that place. His parents moved to McAlester in 1932 and Robert entered high school here, graduating in the spring of 1938. After finishing high school, Robert worked at the Bender Drug store for a time and then entered Eastern A. and M. College at Wilburton, from which place he accepted employment with the Hale-Halsell wholesale grocery company. He left that firm to enlist in the Army Air Corps on December 11, 1941.

From Fort Sill Robert was assigned in turn to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and Miami Beach, Fla. In May 1942 he was made a sergeant and the following month promoted to rank of staff sergeant. He was next transferred to cadet training at Rochester, Minn., where he began primary training with the glider and air-borne troop carrier. He trained in Plainview, Tex., Albuquerque, N.M., and at the Victorville army flying school, where he graduated and received his commission as a flight officer.

Next Robert went to Bowman Field, near Louisville, Ky., where he was stationed five months and where he was married by the post chaplain to Miss Hutchison. Assignment to Camp Mackall, N.C., then to Pope field preceded his going overseas in late January 1944.

F/O Powers was Killed in Action during the initial invasion of France on June 6, 1944. He is buried now in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com