STAFF SERGEANT ROBERT MURRAY SMITH; U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE

DOB/DOD: April 29, 1922 (Norwalk, CT) – September 23, 1943; 21 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: 144 Woodward Avenue
ENLISTMENT: September 22, 1942
SERVICE NUMBER: 11095646
UNIT: 413th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group (Heavy)
STATUS: Missing In Action (MIA); at sea, not recoverable

FAMILY: Born to Stephen H. (1886-1956) and Clara V. Murray Smith (1891-1960). Two brothers, Harold S. (1912-1992) and Calvin H. (1912-1998).

DECORATIONS: Awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart Medal.

NOTE: A B-17 gunner who is credited with 10 KIA, according to americanmuseum.com.

CIRCUMSTANCES: Killed in the crash of a B-17

---

Norwalk High School, Class of ’40

---

From The Norwalk Hour October 7, 1943

Staff Sergeant Robert M. Smith, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen H. Smith of 144 Woodward Avenue, received a telegram today announcing that their son has been missing in action overseas since September 23, just a year and a day after he enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps. Staff Sergeant Smith, a graduate of Norwalk High School, entered the Army at Fort Devens. He trained in many camps, including Atlantic City, Florida, Utah, Colorado, Texas, and Maine. He was home on furlough on August 1 and went overseas to England a short time later. He was a tail gunner on a Flying Fortress, which is missing in action. Before joining the Army, he was employed in the Stamford Electric Specialty Company of this city. He has two brothers, Calvin and Harold.

---

Aircraft Model B-17, Serial Number: #42-3318
Date Lost: 23-Sep-43
Target: Kerlin Bastard AB
Aircraft Name: SHACK RABBIT II
Location: English Channel
Cause: Unknown

The 96th BG loses one ship on this mission to attack a Luftwaffe air base in Brittany, France. The ship and crew apparently went down somewhere in the English Channel. All were lost without a trace.

CREW MEMBERS
1st Lt Eugene Wilcox Jr.; Pilot; MIA/KIA; Eddyville, IA
1st Lt Ralph F. Lewis; Pilot; MIA/KIA; Las Vegas, NM
2nd Lt Victor C. Thoendel; Navigator; MIA/KIA; Monroe, LA
2nd Lt William F. McKenna; MIA/KIA; Swarthmore, PA
TSG William T. Adams; Engineer; MIA/KIA; Memphis, TN
TSG William S. Lambson; Radio Operator; MIA/KIA; Provo, UT
SSG Billy D. Bodiford; Gunner; MIA/KIA; Montgomery, AL
SSG Henry M. Hentnik; Gunner; MIA/KIA; Oyster Bay, NY
SSG Robert M. Smith; Gunner; MIA/KIA; Norwalk, CT
SGT Thomas F. Stevens; Gunner; MIA/KIA; Long Island City, NY

---

From 96th Bomb Group History

---

Memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB23 7PH, United Kingdom; photo from findagrave.com.

---

END