Robert Owen Sparks
MilitarySSgt. Robert Sparks was a tail gunner in the 328th Bomb Squadron, the 93rd Bomb Group, in the 8th Air Force, in Britain, (TDY) to the 9th Air Force, USAAF in North Africa, and flew 23 combat missions. He took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the large bombing mission to Ploesti, Romania, flying in the B-24D, 41-23722, Bomerang, and returned to base safely. 1 Aug 43.
He was shot down and failed to Return (FTR) from a mission over Osnabruck, Germany, in B-24D, 42-63982, named, Jack Frost, hit by flak. The airplane spun down and exploded. He survived his bail out and was captured and made a prisoner. (POW). MACR 2190.
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), PH, POW, GC, WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14062779 / O-668185
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 93rd Bomb Group 328th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-?
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Prisoner of war camp
- Known as: Stalag Luft 4, Gross Tychow, Pomerania
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Des Moines, IA | 18 May 1924 | Son of Romie O and Zelpha E [Bonney] Sparks. |
|
Enlisted |
Camp Dodge, Herrold, IA | 22 September 1942 | Camp Dodge Herrold Iowa |
|
Other Baled out POW |
Quakenbruck, Germany | 22 December 1943 | Failed to Return (FTR) Osnabruck in B-24 42-63982 'Jack Frost'; Hit by flak, spun down and exploded. POW MACR 2190 |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Tychowo, Poland | 22 December 1943 | Prisoner of War (POW). Stalag Luft IV. |
|
Died |
Scottsbluff, NE | 30 March 2010 | |
|
Based Prisoner of War (POW) |
Hardwick | 22 December 1943 | Assigned to 328BS, 93BG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Buried |
Big Springs Cemetery Big Springs, Deuel County, NE | Big Springs Cemetery Big Springs, Deuel County, NE | |
| Havelock, Nebraska, USA |
Revisions
Removed punctuation from aircraft name for clarity, uniformity, and readability. - Kickapoo
https://www.fold3.com/image/28615028
https://www.fold3.com/image/28614946
https://www.fold3.com/image/647677393
https://www.fold3.com/record/84607903-robert-o-sparks
https://www.fold3.com/image/638860138?rec=635358221
https://www.fold3.com/record/110995109-robert-owen-sparks
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50700402/robert-owen-sparks
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2190 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database