Robert John Nolan

Military
media-31998.jpeg UPL 31998 "Lead crew on bombing mission to Kiel, Germany, pose in front of Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Jersey Bounce'. 303rd Bomb Group, England. 19 May 1943."

Rear L-R: S/Sgt Emile V Bitter Jr, Capt Paul G Moore, 1Lt William J Anderson, Capt Kirk R Mitchell, 1Lt Richard R Hopper, Capt Robert J Nolan.
Front L-R: T/Sgt Roy J Hively, S/Sgt James Patton Goff, S/Sgt Frank M Mathews, S/Sgt Allerton F Meddaugh, T/Sgt Milton Hamill.

Object Number - UPL 31998 - "Lead crew on bombing mission to Kiel, Germany, pose in front of Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Jersey Bounce'. 303rd Bomb Group, England. 19 May...

15-Sep-42 Assigned as Pilot, with crew, to B-17F #41-24539 [VK-K] "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358BS at Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, Michigan. 10-Oct-42 moved with aircraft and crew to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine in preparation for deployment ovreseas. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Jersey Bounce".



Was appointed 303BG/358BS Adjutant on 5-Jan-43. 25 mission combat tour with 303BG completed on 11-Jun-43 - three as a Lead Crew Pilot.



28-Feb-45 promoted from Major to Lieutanant Colonel. May 1945 - Became Commanding Officer 338th BS, 96th BG(H) Snetterton Heath, Air Executive 96th BG & Commanding Officer replacing COL Warren. Number of combat missions flown with the 96th BG(H) is unknown.



Mission Participations - 303BG UNDER CONSTRUCTION. See Biography events.

Connections

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

Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Jersey Bounce
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hunga Dunga
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
B-17 Flying Fortresses, including (VK-H, serial number 41-24606) nicknamed "Werewolf", of the 303rd Bomb Group. On reverse: US Army Examiner [Stamp].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Werewolf
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 401st Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Two Beauts
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Jersey Bounce Jr.
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Trenton, NJ, USA 9 January 1918

Enlisted

14 July 1941 Enlisted Trenton, New Jersey

Other

Assigned to Aircraft

Battle Creek, MI, USA 15 September 1942 Assigned as Pilot, with crew, to B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358BS at Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, Michigan.

Other

Station Transfer

Bangor, ME, USA 10 October 1942 Transferred with B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine in preparation for deployment to the UK.

Other

Arrived in UK

Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK 16 October 1942 Arrived at Molesworth, UK as Pilot aboard B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B

Other

Mission #1, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 17 November 1942 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #2, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Lorient, France 22 November 1942 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #3, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Lille, France 6 December 1942 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the carriage and wagon works at Lille, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #4, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Rouen, France 12 December 1942 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marsahlling yeards at Roeun, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #5, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24606, 303BG/358BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 3 January 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24606 "Werewolf", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #6, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 27 January 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the naval facilities and U-Boat pens at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #7, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted

Hamm, Germany 2 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24558 "Hunga Dunga", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany, but mechanical failures forced him to abort the sortie. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #8, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted

Osnabrück, Germany 4 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24558 "Hunga Dunga", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the industrial areas of Osnabruck, Germany, but mechanical failures forced him to abort the sortie. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #9, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 16 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #10, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 26 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the naval facilities and U-Boat construction yards at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #11, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Brest, France 27 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the port area and U-Boat pens at Brest, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #12, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Rotterdam, Netherlands 4 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rotterdam, Holland. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #13, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Lorient, France 6 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #14, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24539, 303BG/358BS

Rennes, France 8 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24539 "Jersey Bounce", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rennes, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #15, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 41-24558, 303BG/358BS - Aborted

Rouen, France 12 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24558 "Hunga Dunga", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Roeun, France, but mechanical failures forced him to abort the sortie. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #16, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 42-5432, 303BG/358BS

Amiens, France 13 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-5432 "The Hunting Club", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Amiens, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #17, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 42-29573, 303BG/358BS

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 22 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-29573 "Two Beauts", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the port area and U-Boat construction yards at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #18, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 42-29573, 303BG/358BS

Rouen, France 28 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-29573 "Two Beauts", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Roeun, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #19, 1LT Robert J. Nolen, w/B-17F 42-29664, 303BG/358BS

Rotterdam, Netherlands 31 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 42-29664 "Jersey Bounce, Jr.", 303BG/358B on a mission to bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam, Holland. RTB OK.

Died

23 February 1972

Buried

Arlington National Cemetery

Revisions

Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

NARA files verified ASN upon entry as Aviation Cadet in 1941.

Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

NARA files verified DFC w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, AM w/5 Oak Leaf Clusters. He earned at least one bronze star on the EAME Campaign Medal. His personnel records would identify any additional awards.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #19 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 31-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/027.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #18 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 28-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/026.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #17 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 22-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/025.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #16 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 23-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/023.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #15 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 12-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/022.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #14 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 8-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/021.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #13 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 6-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/020.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #12 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 4-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/019.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #11 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 27-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/018.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #10 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 26-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #9 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 16-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/016.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #8 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 4-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/014.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #7 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 2-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/013.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #6 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 27-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/012.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #5 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 3-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/009.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #4 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 12-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/006.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #3 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 6-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/005.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #2 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 22-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/003.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Mission #1 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 17-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Arrived in UK event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Robert J. Nolan crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Station Transfer event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Robert J. Nolan crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Assigned to Aircraft event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Robert J. Nolan crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Made connections to Places (Molesworht and Snetteron Heath) , Aircraft (through 31-Mar-43), Missions from 17-Nov-42 to 31-Mar-43 per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Robert J. Noland crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016. Added Born & Died events consolidated from the original injest of the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Wall of Valor, http://www.303rdbg.com/358nolan.html. Added initial assignment adn airrval in UK info and 303BG Mission Participations statement to Summary Biography. Also added paragraphs on Adjutant appointment and 25-Misson tour and promotion to LTC and 96BG Air Exec and CO. All inormation from 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Robert J. Nolen crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 11-Mar-2016 Added initial assignment and arrival in UK statement to Summary Biography per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian: Robert J. Nolan crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-358-nolan.html

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Snetterton Falcons, pg 233, 257 (w/photo)

Robert John Nolan: Gallery (1 items)