ND Veterans Affairs News: State

Buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial.

Buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial.

Buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

Photo from: Wim Slangen via: Assumption Abbey Archives 11/2022

The bomber he was flying in collided with another bomber in the squadron over the Adriatic Sea during stormy weather while the squadron was on a mission to bomb a ball bearing factory in Austria. Eyewitnesses in the other planes said there were no parachutes. 

Memorialized at Florence American Cemetery. Received Purple Heart and Air Medal awards.

Buried at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

Buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial.

Robert served as a Fireman First Class, U.S.S. Chicago (CA-29), U.S. Navy during World War II.

He resided in North Dakota prior to the war.

The Chicago, in what was known as the Battle of Rennell Island, was first hit by two torpedoes on January 29th and disabled. Multiple crewmen were lost in this first attack.

On the 30th she was being towed to port when she was hit by 4 more torpedoes which caused more crewmen to be lost and the Chicago to sink.

Memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

Buried at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial.

Robert John Frauenholtz was born on December 23, 1924, in Madelia, Watonwan County, Minnesota to Louis Joseph Frauenholtz and Bridgetta Isabel (Duffy) Frauenholtz. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and had the occupation or specialty of Radio Operator Gunner. The crew was flying Happy Warrior (#9163 H8:S) on the raid to bomb the ME 262 A/F at Parchim. The bombing altitude was 15,000 feet. When the lead aircraft, #846, dropped its bombs, one of the incendiary clusters reportedly broke apart and struck #9163.