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| Lt. Robert Weisbecker was a B-26 navigator in the 17th Bombardment Group in North Africa. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116004815/robert-k-weisbecker http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/22278 |
Robert K. Weisbecker never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
Robert was born on November 16, 1919 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His parents Kingston and Winifred were also born in Wisconsin. Robert’s father worked in a foundry and later as a bookkeeper in a printing office. Robert was an only child. In 1940, Robert had completed two years of college, was living at home in La Crosse with his parents, and was doing delivery work for a printing office.
Robert enlisted in the Army Air Corps in November 1941 and entered flight training. He trained as a navigator and upon graduation in June 1942 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was assigned to the 432nd Bomb Squadron of the 17th Bombardment Group (Medium). The 17th BG was initially equipped with B-25 Mitchell bombers, and supplied many of the aircrews for the Doolittle Raid. By the time 2nd Lt. Weisbecker joined the 17th BG, it had transitioned to flying B-26 Marauder medium bombers. Robert was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on his 23rd birthday.
In December 1942, the 17th BG deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations with the XII Bomber Command shortly following Operation Torch, the North Africa invasion. The 17th BG began combat operations over North Africa on 30 December 1942, supporting American ground forces in Tunisia. The unit flew interdiction and close air support, bombing bridges, rail lines, marshalling yards, harbors, shipping, gun emplacements, troop concentrations and other enemy targets. On 7 January 1943, twenty-two B-26s of the 17th BG, escorted by fourteen P-38s of the 52nd Fighter Group, took off to bomb the enemy military barracks in the area of Gabee, Tunisia. During the mission, the bombers were attacked by Me109 fighters. Twenty-one B-26s returned to base after the mission. Aircraft 41-17894 was declared missing in action, and all crew aboard, including 2nd Lt. Weisbecker were presumed killed.
Robert K. Weisbecker is memorialized in Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Pearl Harbor fallen PFC Robert Taylor of the USS Oklahoma. You can read about Robert here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
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"Presumed killed"? Were their remains ever recovered? RIP Robert and crew mates...
ReplyDeleteThat is correct.
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