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2nd Lt. Robert Owens was a B-29 navigator in the 498th Bombardment Group. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124830499/robert-l-owens https://www.newspapers.com/browse/us/idaho/idaho-falls/the-post-register_3206 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-29_Superfortress#World_War_II |
Robert Legrande Owens never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
Note: This is the 1,300th profile of a US WWII fallen in this project. There are 73 left to go until it ends on September 2, 2020 - the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Robert was born on June 21, 1920 in Iona, Idaho. His parents Alma and Sarah were also born in Idaho. His father was a farmer and later a school teacher. Robert had two older sisters, one younger sister, and two younger brothers. In 1940, Robert had completed one year of college and was living at home with his parents in Iona. He later graduated from Ricks College and Brigham Young University.
When he registered for the draft in July 1941 he was working as a gasoline truck operator in Bluffton, South Carolina. He entered the US Army Air Corps in July 1942 and trained as a navigator. At some point, he married the former Vera Evans and they had a son. Robert was assigned as a 2nd lieutenant to the 498th Bomb Group, which was formed in November 1943 as part of the 73rd Bombardment Wing, and was equipped with Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers. The 498th was deployed to Saipan in the Marianas Islands in September 1944 and flew its first combat mission the following month. Lt. Owens went overseas in November 1944 so was likely assigned to the 498th as a replacement.
The B-29 Superfortress, one of the largest aircraft of World War II, was designed for high-altitude strategic bombing and had state-of-the-art technology, including pressurized cabins, analog computer-controlled fire-control system, and remote control gun placements. The cost of design and production of the B-29 far exceeded the cost of the Manhattan Project and made the B-29 program the most expensive of the war. Due to the critical need, the B-29s were rushed into service without complete testing and were beset with engine problems, primarily oil leaks that led to engine fires. Because of a high magnesium content in the potentially combustible crankcase alloy, the resulting engine fires, sometimes burning with a core temperature approaching 5,600 °F, were often so intense the main wing spar could burn through in seconds, resulting in catastrophic wing failure. The B-29 was also a difficult aircraft to fly due to its large size and weight. Postwar analysis showed that for every B-29 lost to the enemy, almost two were lost to accidents and crashes.
On 9 March 1945 Lt. Owens was the navigator aboard B-29 44-64797, one of 325 B-29s that took off from the Marianas Islands to bomb Tokyo. According to the 498th’s mission log, enemy aircraft opposition was weak and flak was moderate to intense. One aircraft was lost to enemy flak, five had to ditch in the ocean, and seven were lost for unknown reasons. It was later determined that 44-64797 crashed into Fubo Mountain near Tokyo with no survivors.
Robert Legrande Owens was initially buried in Japan and after the war was reinterred in Iona Cemetery in Iona, Idaho. His widow remarried after the war and passed away in 2007.
Thank you 2Lt. Owens for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Robert.
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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 Marven Fritza of the 122nd Liaison Squadron. You can read about Marven 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!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
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WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by
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“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”
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