Robert Hall Colgan was born on September 4, 1924, in Westfield, Union County, New Jersey. He was the son of Arthur H. Colgan and Elsea Hall Colgan. He enlisted in the service on April 17, 1943. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator of B-17 #43-38697 during World War II.

On February 3, 1945, during a bombing mission over Berlin, the B-17G 43-38697 was involved in a mid-air collision with another B-17 42-97387, nicknamed "Maude An' Maria," from the 602nd Bomb Squadron of the same group. The collision occurred near Lehmke, Germany, resulting in the crash of both aircraft. Tragically, eight of the nine crew members aboard 43-38697 were killed in the collision and only one survived and was taken as a prisoner of war.

TSgt Colgan was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Pine Hill Cemetery, New Port Richey, Pasco County, Florida, USA. Robert H. Colgan's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 24, in the bottom left wing (section C).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org