Robert B. Holmes

Captain Robert B Holmes in uniform photo

World War II (WWII)
-
Fallen

County:
Richland

Date of Loss:

Military Service:
    Rank:
    Captain
    Branch of Service:
    Army
    Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent:
    P-51 44-63214
    Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:
    82nd Fighter Squadron
    Regiment / Group / Brigade:
    78th Fighter Group
    Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:
    8th Air Force
    Major Battle/Theatre:
    European African Middle Eastern Theater
    Conflicts Served:
    World War II (WWII)

Circumstances:

Killed in action when he was flying a mission to strafe enemy airfields in the present-day Czech Republic. After strafing two airfields heading towards the third, his plane was hit by flak, and he crashed and was killed near Prague

Biography:

Captain Robert B. Holmes was born on December 5, 1920, in Chamberlain, South Dakota and was from North Dakota when he entered the United States Army. On April 16, 1945, Captain Holmes flying a P-51 (44-63214) of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group “Duxford Eagles” 8th Air Force out of USAAF Station F-357 (Duxford) was flying a mission to strafe enemy airfields in the present-day Czech Republic. After strafing two airfields heading towards the third, his plane was hit by flak, and he crashed and was killed near Prague. The 78th Fighter Group won was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citations for successfully ground strafing aircraft on five airfields near Prague and Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, on 16 April 1945. A memorial remembers him in Prague-Ruzyne. He is buried in Grave 14327, Block 25, Section C, Ft Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota.