Alfred A Rabo
MilitaryImage courtesy of Mike and Jane Rabo, Durham, California. Originaly uploaded to Find a Grave by Member Ariadna, who's profile states images they have posted can be used for genealogical purposes.
Rabo is best known for nicknaming H2X radar 'Mickey Mouse'
After being commissioned in May 1942 Rabo was assigned to the 305th Bomb Group, and arrived in the UK in October 1942. He completed 15 missions with the 305th and was promoted to Captain.
In July 1943 Rabo was transferred to William Cowart's office to establish a pathfinder group for the 8th Air Force. He accompanied Cowart back to the US where they worked with scientists to develop radar equipment for heavy bombers, and oversee testing of H2X equipped B-17s.
Once the work was completed Cowart promoted Rabo to Major and appointed him commander of the 812th Bomb Squadron, 482nd Bomb Group
Shot down by heavy flak just prior to the target of Klein Machnow, Berlin on 6 Mar 1944 in B-17F #42-3491 'Chopstick-G George'. Rabo was captured by German authorities and imprisoned at Stalag Luft I until 1945.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Headquarters (Eighth Air Force)
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Tactician
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 812th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19036033 on enlistment, O-735978
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Group Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 812th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 812th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Chopstick-G George
- Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 812th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 6 March 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Stalag Luft I, Barth, Germany
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Redding, CA | 8 September 1920 | |
Other Married Dorothy May Meline |
Durham, California | 5 April 1942 | |
Other Returned to US |
18 July 1943 | Travelled from Prestwick, Scotland to La Guardia, New York | |
Other Prisoner of War |
Stalag Luft I | 6 March 1944 | |
Died |
Durham, California | 1 July 2000 | |
Other Service with 305th Bomb Group |
|||
Buried |
Chico Cemetery, Chico, Butte County, California, USA |
Revisions
Transferred information from duplicate record to include information from: MACR 3362 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database and WW2 POW records at the National Archives (NARA)
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3362, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces & page 28 in HISTORY OF THE OPERATIONAL PERIOD OF THE 482nd BOMBARDMENT GROUP, D790.G482.M6, 1944