Robert D KISLING

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1942

B-17 Fortress - type F-5-VE - s/n 42-5717 RD*F

Macr: 15472

 Mission: Underwater Base Attack St-Nazaire (44)

Shot by fighter and flak around 12:00

Takeoff 09h00 Thurleigh, Bedfordshire UK

Map of St James American Cemetery

Crew of 42-5717

A search of the enlistment records maintained by National Archives Veterans Records has revealed no information concerning SSgt Robert D. Kisling. Other records contain information that his birth state was Indiana, and that his hometown could be Richmond, as he is noted as graduating from Richmond High School.

He was a crew member on a replacement B-17 combat crew that deployed to England in late 1942. The crew was assigned to the 423rd Bomb Squadron of the 306th Bomb Group.

On February 16, 1943, this crew flew as part of a bombing raid on the submarine docks at St. Naizare, France. Shortly after the bomb load was dropped, enemy fighters engaged the formation. Several made head-on attacks, resulting in the pilot being shot through the head. Although the co-pilot attempted to take control, he was unable to do so. Another attack left the radio operator wounded, and three of the gunners dead. The aircraft went into a tight spin, and at 600 feet altitude, an internal explosion blew the nose off the aircraft, and the bombardier was ejected. The aircraft crashed near Ville de Dan, France.

Although two of the crew survived and evaded, the only other survivor was the wounded radio operator who was taken prisoner. All others died.

SSgt Robert D. Kisling was eventually buried in the Brittany American Cemetery at St. James, France. He lies in Plot I, Row 11, Grave 7.

Crew of  B-17 Fortress - type F-5-VE - s/n 42-5717 RD*F