Alfred A Rabo

Military
media-45063.jpeg UPL 45063 Alfred "Fred" A Rabo, pilot of the 305th Bomb Group and Commanding Officer of the 812th Bomb Squadron, 482nd Bomb Group.

Image 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.

Object Number - UPL 45063 - Alfred "Fred" A Rabo, pilot of the 305th Bomb Group and Commanding Officer of the 812th Bomb Squadron, 482nd Bomb Group.

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

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Lieutenant John C "Red" Morgan of the 482nd Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Lt Red Morgan, Cong, Med of Hon.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • 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
First Lieutenant Louis A. Dentoni of the 385th Bomb Group checks the bomb load of his B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lulu Belle" before a mission. Passed for publication 25 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-49. A Flying Fortress hero - the leading bombadier[sic] of this Flying Fortress group who is only 24 years of age. He is 1/Lt. Louis A. Dentoni, here seen in the bomb bay of his Fort, checking the load before the take-off on another mission in the "Lulu Be
  • 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

Places

Prisoners of war, including Colonel Hubert Zemke of the 479th Fighter Group at Stalag Luft I.
  • 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

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

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)

482nd Bomb Group History

Missing Air Crew Report

Find a Grave

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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

Alfred A Rabo: Gallery (2 items)