Altman, Robert E. (USAAF)

Nationality:: American

Biography

Radio / Bathtub Gunner
11th Bomb Group (H): The Grey Geese
Staff Sergeant Robert Altman had joined up in October 1939, serving with the 42nd Bomb Squadron in Hawaii. December 41 found him at Clark Field in the Philippines with the 14th Bomb Squadron, 19th Bomb Group. He was radio operator and belly gunner on Kellys B- 17. Robert was captured by the Japanese after bailing out, and taken as POW for the remainder of the war. He spent 36 months of that captivity in Tokyo, Japan.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private 1st Class

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Private First Class Robert E. Altman, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight of nine B-17 bombers from Honolulu to the Philippine Islands from 5 to 12 September 1941. Private First Class Altman displayed skillful airmanship and accurate knowledge of the highly technical details involved in the successful execution of this flight, which involved traversing by air uncharted waters from Wake Island to Port Moresby and Darwin, and thence to Fort Stotsenburg. The speed with which each phase of this flight was accomplished indicates a high quality of navigation. This outstanding achievement reflects the highest credit on the military forces of the United States.

Sources

- Robert Altman - Recipient -
- Pacific Wrecks - B-17C Flying Fortress Serial Number 40-2045
- Staff Sergeant Robert E Altman - Art prints and originals signed by Staff Sergeant Robert E Altman