Name: Robert C Yowan
First Name(s): Robert C
Last Name: Yowan
Place of birth: Pennsylvania, Washington Cnty, Monongahela
Rank: Sgt Ball Turret Gunner
ASN: 13189637
Company: 838th Bomb Sqdrn
Unit: 487th Bomber Grp (H) 8th USAAF
Reported as: SWA ► EUS
Date of incident: 24-12-1944
Place of incident: Cornemont area
note: Aircraft type B-17G-50-VE Fortress #44-8192 nickname: ‘Lindy Lou’ was attacked at 1215 hours about 5 miles southeast of Liege, Belgium at an altitude of approximately 22,000 feet. After 4 or 5 seemingly random attacks about 7 German ME 109´s made a front quarter attack from about 2 o’clock, slightly high of level. In this attack the nose and flight deck were considerably shot up. About 40 enemy aircraft (ME109) had formed on the tail of the formation. During their attack, made in single file on our formation, the plane was on fire and the bail out order was given. Four parachutes from the airplane were seen and very shortly after the last parachute was seen to open the plane exploded.
Five crew members bailed out and landed between Spa and Sprimont, Belgium where they were picked up by American forces. Four men were killed by enemy gunfire in the airplane.
Sgt Robert Yowan parachuted and landed in a farm field and was picked up by Belgian farmers. They took him to their home, contacted U.S. medics and I got to a field hospital at Liège, Belgium to begin medical treatment. About two weeks later Sgt Yowan was flown back to U. S. for rehab..
Destination: Babenhausen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the airfield
MACR: 11258
History of 487th Bombardment Group
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