Robert E. Joyce was born on May 23, 1924, in West Haven, Connecticut. He was the son of Raymond C. Joyce and Mildred Lambert Talmadge Joyce.

Robert served in the 848th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner on the B-17G #43-37884 "Pensy Belle" during World War II. He was Killed in Action on November 5, 1944, when his plane crashed near Neustadt, Germany. They were on a bombing run hitting the Focke Wulf plant in Bremen. SSgt Joyce is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint-Avold, France.

Crew of the B-17G #43-37884:
1Lt Clarence Bridwell - Pilot - KIA
2Lt Floyd Norman - Co-Pilot - KIA
SSgt Wendell Cole - Bombardier, enlisted, Nose Gunner - KIA
2Lt Dick Colyer - Navigator - KIA
SSgt Paul Finot - Top Turret Gunner - POW
SSgt Robert Joyce - Tail Gunner - KIA
TSgt Edward Longer - Radio Operator - KIA
SSgt John Porterfield - Right Waist Gunner - KIA
2Lt Jack Provolt - Bombardier - KIA