Robert Rosenthal

Military
Portrait of Robert Rosie Rosenthal UPL 5424 UPL 5424 Lt Col. Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal

Michael P. Faley-100th Bomb Group Historian, www.100thbg.com

Off

Object Number - UPL 5424 - Lt Col. Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal

Biography

Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal joined the 100th Bomb Group in August 1943, and on his third mission, was the only pilot to safely return to base following the Munster raid on 10 October 1943. He was later appointed Squadron Commander of the 418th Bomb Squadron, and then the 350th Bomb Squadron. Rosenthal was shot down in France in September 1944, but evaded capture and returned to duty. He was also shot down over Berlin in February 1945 and was picked up by the Red Army. He again returned to duty, flying one further mission. In total, Rosenthal flew 52 combat missions, earning sixteen awards.

Before his enlistment, Rosenthal had worked as a lawyer for a large Manhattan law firm, which he returned to after the war. Still searching for justice, Rosenthal returned to Europe in 1946 to work on the US prosecution team during the Nuremberg trials. He met his wife, fellow trial judge Phyllis Heller, on the journey to Germany.

Robert Rosenthal died on April 20, 2007, aged 89 in White Plains, New York. Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal is played by American actor Nate Mann in the Masters of the Air mini-series. 
 

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-386339
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Navigator / Radar Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Rosie's riveters
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
 Royal Flush (42-6087) of the 8th Air Force, 100th bomber group, 418th Bomber squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Royal Flush aka Harper's Ferry aka Aske's Angels
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Terrible termite
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 3 February 1945
French civillians inspect a crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32086) nicknamed "You Never Know" of the 457th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '10/9/44 France.'
  • Date: 10 September 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

11 June 1917

Enlisted

8 December 1941

Died

20 April 2007

Other

CO of 350th BS

10 September 1944

Other

CO of 418th BS

3 February 1945

Revisions

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added " / " in the "Role/job" field as a separator to aid readability.

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ContributorEmily
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ContributorEmily
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ContributorHattie
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ContributorHattie
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ContributorHattie
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ContributorHattie
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Contributorjmoore43
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Added an association to the 8th AF Mission #252 for 8 Mar 1944 per info in the “Blood and Fears” by Kevin Wilson on page 97.

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added an association to the 100th BG listed in the A/C #42-31504 description section.

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added a note about the book “A Wing and A Prayer” and Commander of 418 & 350 BS to the "Summary biography".

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added Enlisted event per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 19390320.

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added events per info at 100th BG website.
Source: https://100thbg.com/index.php?option=com_bombgrp&view=personnel&id=4475…

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Contributorjmoore43
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Moved his middle name to he nickname field.

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"Eighth Air Force", By Donald L. Miller.

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Contributorjmoore43
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Added birth and death infoper Find-a-grave MEMORIAL ID 19390320.

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Contributormpfaley
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Michael P. Faley-100th Bomb Group Historian, www.100thbg.com

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Contributormpfaley
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Michael P. Faley-100th Bomb Group Historian, www.100thbg.com

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Contributormpfaley
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Michael P. Faley-100th Bomb Group Historian, www.100thbg.com

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ContributorAAM
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Robert Rosenthal: Gallery (3 items)