Robert Sweatt passed away January 7 2021 the 77th anniversary of his crews tragic loss over France in WW2
Robert H. Sweatt Sr., 98 years old, of Burton, Texas, passed away on January 7, 2021.
Bob was born in Lovington, New Mexico, on May 9, 1922. He graduated from Prairie View High School and continued to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Houston. Bob was married to Mary M. Davidson of Panama City, Florida, on February 6, 1945. They had a wonderful life together for over 72 years as life partners.
Bob had several careers in his long lifetime. The first career was serving his country in the Army Airforce as a waist gunner in a B-24 Liberator in the European Theater. He was decorated for his service receiving the Purple Heart and other commendations. After being honorably discharged from the service and receiving his geology degree, he pursued employment in the oil and gas industry as well as prospecting for uranium. As his family grew, he left the oil and gas industry to become a teacher of science and math and to spend more time with his ever-increasing family. Shortly after beginning his teaching career, he purchased land near Burton, Texas, and began ranching. Ranching would end up becoming his most cherished career that lasted over 40 years. Over the last 40 years, he became known as a respected cattleman that could identify good stock and ran a well-respected outfit. He made many friends at the auction barns all around Central Texas.Please visit Robert's tribute page at www.HillierFuneralHome.com to share memories and stories.
The story of Capt. Wilhite's crew is documented in a book titled "Trouble" written by Sgt. Sweatt's son-in-law, Larry Smith.
----------------------------------------------------------
USAAF WW2
Waist gunner S/Sgt. Robert H. Sweatt EVD
Hometown: Bryan, Texas
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Squadron: 564th BS 389th Bomb Group
Pilot Capt. David L. Wilhite, KIA
Target: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:1853
Date Lost: 7-Jan-44
Serial Number: 42-41013 This ship was a veteran of "Operation Tidal Wave" the low level raid to destroy Romanian Oil fields flown by the 506 Squadron 44th Bomb group.
Aircraft Model B-24D-125-CO
Aircraft Letter: P
Aircraft Name: TROUBLE
Location: Bolbec, France
Cause: 10 KIA, 1 EVD
Notes: The 389th BG flies home alone over France. German fighters make repeated attacks and the group loses four aircraft.
SSgt Robert H Sweatt was a gunner on Capt. David L. Wilhite's crew. On Jan. 7, 1944, they were assigned to the B-24 Liberator 42-41013 "Trouble" when it took off from Station 114 in Hethel, Norwich, UK on a mission to bomb the industrial complex near Ludwigshafen, Germany. Maj. Kenneth Caldwell chose Trouble as his "command" plane making it the lead plane in the formation of the 2nd Combat Wing for this mission. Wilhite's normal co-pilot, Lt. Daily, also wanted to fly the mission so he remained on board listed as an observer. The mission was a success, but the bombers of the 2nd Combat Wing picked up a pack of German fighters over Chateauneuf-sur-Loire at ~1300 hours. "Trouble" was attacked at 21,000 feet by Hauptmann Egon Mayer, a German Ace pilot, flying an Fw-190 fighter. Trouble's cockpit and right wing were hit in the initial attack. Ablaze, the bomber dropped out of formation and went into a spin. Sgt. Sweatt was wounded during the initial attack in several places, including a nick to his jugular vein, and was trapped by centrifugal forces as the plane fell. Later, the plane exploded expelling Sgt. Sweatt and knocking him unconscious. He regained consciousness in time to open his parachute. It was reported that Lt. Wendell (Dan) Daily was also able to escape the plane but was shot before he hit the ground. Only Sgt Sweatt survived from the crew of Trouble that day. He was found by French farmers before the Germans could arrive and given clothing to appear French, thereby avoiding detection. Sgt. Sweatt was hidden by local French families (Duplant and Duneau) and nursed back to health until he was delivered to the operators of the Shelburne Escape Line (Bonaparte route). He arrived back in England on March 23rd, 1944. Sweatt later married and lived a full life with five children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He lives in Bryan, Texas now, aged 97 in 2019. The crew members' bodies were eventually identified, likely by their dog tags, and recorded as buried in the Saint-Chéron de Chartres cemetery. On March 12th, 1944 at 10 am Mr. Broutin found an unidentifiable corpse in the woods of Bouville, which was probably Sgt. Saunders. Later, some of the bodies were interred in Normandy Cemetery and some were returned to the U. S. for re-burial.
By the northern wall of the local town church, next to the town's monument to the dead. Monument A small weathered white plaque commemorating American aviators surmounted by the picture of a B-24 and the 8th Air Force's crest with a US flag.
Monument Text:A la memoire des 10 aviateurs Americains tues le 7 janvier 1944.
english translation:In memory of the 10 American aviators who were killed on January 7th, 1944.
Maj Caldwell Kenneth M. - Co Pilot
Capt Wilhite David L. - Pilot
1st Lt Daily Wendell - Observer
1st Lt Roodman Harold - Navigator
1st Lt McConnell James J. - Bombardier
TSgt Saunders Harold L. - Mechanic
TSgt Flatter Samuel F. - Radio
SSgt Snyder Max J. - Gunner
SSgt Dewitt Charles O. - Gunner
SSgt Caplinger Charles R. - Gunner
et en hommage au seul survivant english translation: and dedicated to the sole survivor Sgt Sweatt Robert H. - Gunner
The "TROUBLE " Crew
Major Kenneth M. Caldwell Command Pilot KIA
Capt David L. Wilhite Pilot KIA
Capt David L. Wilhite Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. Wendell L. Daily Co Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. Harold Roodman Navigator KIA
1st/Lt James J. McConnell Bombardier KIA
T/Sgt. Harold L. Saunders Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Samuel W. Flatter Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. George R. Caplinger Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Charles A. De Witt Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Max J. Snyder Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Robert H. Sweatt Gunner EVD
Robert H. Sweatt Sr., 98 years old, of Burton, Texas, passed away on January 7, 2021.
Bob was born in Lovington, New Mexico, on May 9, 1922. He graduated from Prairie View High School and continued to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Houston. Bob was married to Mary M. Davidson of Panama City, Florida, on February 6, 1945. They had a wonderful life together for over 72 years as life partners.
Bob had several careers in his long lifetime. The first career was serving his country in the Army Airforce as a waist gunner in a B-24 Liberator in the European Theater. He was decorated for his service receiving the Purple Heart and other commendations. After being honorably discharged from the service and receiving his geology degree, he pursued employment in the oil and gas industry as well as prospecting for uranium. As his family grew, he left the oil and gas industry to become a teacher of science and math and to spend more time with his ever-increasing family. Shortly after beginning his teaching career, he purchased land near Burton, Texas, and began ranching. Ranching would end up becoming his most cherished career that lasted over 40 years. Over the last 40 years, he became known as a respected cattleman that could identify good stock and ran a well-respected outfit. He made many friends at the auction barns all around Central Texas.Please visit Robert's tribute page at www.HillierFuneralHome.com to share memories and stories.
The story of Capt. Wilhite's crew is documented in a book titled "Trouble" written by Sgt. Sweatt's son-in-law, Larry Smith.
----------------------------------------------------------
USAAF WW2
Waist gunner S/Sgt. Robert H. Sweatt EVD
Hometown: Bryan, Texas
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Squadron: 564th BS 389th Bomb Group
Pilot Capt. David L. Wilhite, KIA
Target: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:1853
Date Lost: 7-Jan-44
Serial Number: 42-41013 This ship was a veteran of "Operation Tidal Wave" the low level raid to destroy Romanian Oil fields flown by the 506 Squadron 44th Bomb group.
Aircraft Model B-24D-125-CO
Aircraft Letter: P
Aircraft Name: TROUBLE
Location: Bolbec, France
Cause: 10 KIA, 1 EVD
Notes: The 389th BG flies home alone over France. German fighters make repeated attacks and the group loses four aircraft.
SSgt Robert H Sweatt was a gunner on Capt. David L. Wilhite's crew. On Jan. 7, 1944, they were assigned to the B-24 Liberator 42-41013 "Trouble" when it took off from Station 114 in Hethel, Norwich, UK on a mission to bomb the industrial complex near Ludwigshafen, Germany. Maj. Kenneth Caldwell chose Trouble as his "command" plane making it the lead plane in the formation of the 2nd Combat Wing for this mission. Wilhite's normal co-pilot, Lt. Daily, also wanted to fly the mission so he remained on board listed as an observer. The mission was a success, but the bombers of the 2nd Combat Wing picked up a pack of German fighters over Chateauneuf-sur-Loire at ~1300 hours. "Trouble" was attacked at 21,000 feet by Hauptmann Egon Mayer, a German Ace pilot, flying an Fw-190 fighter. Trouble's cockpit and right wing were hit in the initial attack. Ablaze, the bomber dropped out of formation and went into a spin. Sgt. Sweatt was wounded during the initial attack in several places, including a nick to his jugular vein, and was trapped by centrifugal forces as the plane fell. Later, the plane exploded expelling Sgt. Sweatt and knocking him unconscious. He regained consciousness in time to open his parachute. It was reported that Lt. Wendell (Dan) Daily was also able to escape the plane but was shot before he hit the ground. Only Sgt Sweatt survived from the crew of Trouble that day. He was found by French farmers before the Germans could arrive and given clothing to appear French, thereby avoiding detection. Sgt. Sweatt was hidden by local French families (Duplant and Duneau) and nursed back to health until he was delivered to the operators of the Shelburne Escape Line (Bonaparte route). He arrived back in England on March 23rd, 1944. Sweatt later married and lived a full life with five children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He lives in Bryan, Texas now, aged 97 in 2019. The crew members' bodies were eventually identified, likely by their dog tags, and recorded as buried in the Saint-Chéron de Chartres cemetery. On March 12th, 1944 at 10 am Mr. Broutin found an unidentifiable corpse in the woods of Bouville, which was probably Sgt. Saunders. Later, some of the bodies were interred in Normandy Cemetery and some were returned to the U. S. for re-burial.
By the northern wall of the local town church, next to the town's monument to the dead. Monument A small weathered white plaque commemorating American aviators surmounted by the picture of a B-24 and the 8th Air Force's crest with a US flag.
Monument Text:A la memoire des 10 aviateurs Americains tues le 7 janvier 1944.
english translation:In memory of the 10 American aviators who were killed on January 7th, 1944.
Maj Caldwell Kenneth M. - Co Pilot
Capt Wilhite David L. - Pilot
1st Lt Daily Wendell - Observer
1st Lt Roodman Harold - Navigator
1st Lt McConnell James J. - Bombardier
TSgt Saunders Harold L. - Mechanic
TSgt Flatter Samuel F. - Radio
SSgt Snyder Max J. - Gunner
SSgt Dewitt Charles O. - Gunner
SSgt Caplinger Charles R. - Gunner
et en hommage au seul survivant english translation: and dedicated to the sole survivor Sgt Sweatt Robert H. - Gunner
The "TROUBLE " Crew
Major Kenneth M. Caldwell Command Pilot KIA
Capt David L. Wilhite Pilot KIA
Capt David L. Wilhite Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. Wendell L. Daily Co Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. Harold Roodman Navigator KIA
1st/Lt James J. McConnell Bombardier KIA
T/Sgt. Harold L. Saunders Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Samuel W. Flatter Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. George R. Caplinger Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Charles A. De Witt Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Max J. Snyder Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Robert H. Sweatt Gunner EVD
Robert Sweatt passed away January 7 2021 the 77th anniversary of his crews tragic loss over France in WW2
Robert H. Sweatt Sr., 98 years old, of Burton, Texas, passed away on January 7, 2021.
Bob was born in Lovington, New Mexico, on May 9, 1922. He graduated from Prairie View High School and continued to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Houston. Bob was married to Mary M. Davidson of Panama City, Florida, on February 6, 1945. They had a wonderful life together for over 72 years as life partners.
Bob had several careers in his long lifetime. The first career was serving his country in the Army Airforce as a waist gunner in a B-24 Liberator in the European Theater. He was decorated for his service receiving the Purple Heart and other commendations. After being honorably discharged from the service and receiving his geology degree, he pursued employment in the oil and gas industry as well as prospecting for uranium. As his family grew, he left the oil and gas industry to become a teacher of science and math and to spend more time with his ever-increasing family. Shortly after beginning his teaching career, he purchased land near Burton, Texas, and began ranching. Ranching would end up becoming his most cherished career that lasted over 40 years. Over the last 40 years, he became known as a respected cattleman that could identify good stock and ran a well-respected outfit. He made many friends at the auction barns all around Central Texas.Please visit Robert's tribute page at www.HillierFuneralHome.com to share memories and stories.
The story of Capt. Wilhite's crew is documented in a book titled "Trouble" written by Sgt. Sweatt's son-in-law, Larry Smith.
----------------------------------------------------------
USAAF WW2
Waist gunner S/Sgt. Robert H. Sweatt EVD
Hometown: Bryan, Texas
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Squadron: 564th BS 389th Bomb Group
Pilot Capt. David L. Wilhite, KIA
Target: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:1853
Date Lost: 7-Jan-44
Serial Number: 42-41013 This ship was a veteran of "Operation Tidal Wave" the low level raid to destroy Romanian Oil fields flown by the 506 Squadron 44th Bomb group.
Aircraft Model B-24D-125-CO
Aircraft Letter: P
Aircraft Name: TROUBLE
Location: Bolbec, France
Cause: 10 KIA, 1 EVD
Notes: The 389th BG flies home alone over France. German fighters make repeated attacks and the group loses four aircraft.
SSgt Robert H Sweatt was a gunner on Capt. David L. Wilhite's crew. On Jan. 7, 1944, they were assigned to the B-24 Liberator 42-41013 "Trouble" when it took off from Station 114 in Hethel, Norwich, UK on a mission to bomb the industrial complex near Ludwigshafen, Germany. Maj. Kenneth Caldwell chose Trouble as his "command" plane making it the lead plane in the formation of the 2nd Combat Wing for this mission. Wilhite's normal co-pilot, Lt. Daily, also wanted to fly the mission so he remained on board listed as an observer. The mission was a success, but the bombers of the 2nd Combat Wing picked up a pack of German fighters over Chateauneuf-sur-Loire at ~1300 hours. "Trouble" was attacked at 21,000 feet by Hauptmann Egon Mayer, a German Ace pilot, flying an Fw-190 fighter. Trouble's cockpit and right wing were hit in the initial attack. Ablaze, the bomber dropped out of formation and went into a spin. Sgt. Sweatt was wounded during the initial attack in several places, including a nick to his jugular vein, and was trapped by centrifugal forces as the plane fell. Later, the plane exploded expelling Sgt. Sweatt and knocking him unconscious. He regained consciousness in time to open his parachute. It was reported that Lt. Wendell (Dan) Daily was also able to escape the plane but was shot before he hit the ground. Only Sgt Sweatt survived from the crew of Trouble that day. He was found by French farmers before the Germans could arrive and given clothing to appear French, thereby avoiding detection. Sgt. Sweatt was hidden by local French families (Duplant and Duneau) and nursed back to health until he was delivered to the operators of the Shelburne Escape Line (Bonaparte route). He arrived back in England on March 23rd, 1944. Sweatt later married and lived a full life with five children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He lives in Bryan, Texas now, aged 97 in 2019. The crew members' bodies were eventually identified, likely by their dog tags, and recorded as buried in the Saint-Chéron de Chartres cemetery. On March 12th, 1944 at 10 am Mr. Broutin found an unidentifiable corpse in the woods of Bouville, which was probably Sgt. Saunders. Later, some of the bodies were interred in Normandy Cemetery and some were returned to the U. S. for re-burial.
By the northern wall of the local town church, next to the town's monument to the dead. Monument A small weathered white plaque commemorating American aviators surmounted by the picture of a B-24 and the 8th Air Force's crest with a US flag.
Monument Text:A la memoire des 10 aviateurs Americains tues le 7 janvier 1944.
english translation:In memory of the 10 American aviators who were killed on January 7th, 1944.
Maj Caldwell Kenneth M. - Co Pilot
Capt Wilhite David L. - Pilot
1st Lt Daily Wendell - Observer
1st Lt Roodman Harold - Navigator
1st Lt McConnell James J. - Bombardier
TSgt Saunders Harold L. - Mechanic
TSgt Flatter Samuel F. - Radio
SSgt Snyder Max J. - Gunner
SSgt Dewitt Charles O. - Gunner
SSgt Caplinger Charles R. - Gunner
et en hommage au seul survivant english translation: and dedicated to the sole survivor Sgt Sweatt Robert H. - Gunner
The "TROUBLE " Crew
Major Kenneth M. Caldwell Command Pilot KIA
Capt David L. Wilhite Pilot KIA
Capt David L. Wilhite Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. Wendell L. Daily Co Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. Harold Roodman Navigator KIA
1st/Lt James J. McConnell Bombardier KIA
T/Sgt. Harold L. Saunders Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Samuel W. Flatter Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. George R. Caplinger Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Charles A. De Witt Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Max J. Snyder Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Robert H. Sweatt Gunner EVD
Robert H. Sweatt Sr., 98 years old, of Burton, Texas, passed away on January 7, 2021.
Bob was born in Lovington, New Mexico, on May 9, 1922. He graduated from Prairie View High School and continued to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Houston. Bob was married to Mary M. Davidson of Panama City, Florida, on February 6, 1945. They had a wonderful life together for over 72 years as life partners.
Bob had several careers in his long lifetime. The first career was serving his country in the Army Airforce as a waist gunner in a B-24 Liberator in the European Theater. He was decorated for his service receiving the Purple Heart and other commendations. After being honorably discharged from the service and receiving his geology degree, he pursued employment in the oil and gas industry as well as prospecting for uranium. As his family grew, he left the oil and gas industry to become a teacher of science and math and to spend more time with his ever-increasing family. Shortly after beginning his teaching career, he purchased land near Burton, Texas, and began ranching. Ranching would end up becoming his most cherished career that lasted over 40 years. Over the last 40 years, he became known as a respected cattleman that could identify good stock and ran a well-respected outfit. He made many friends at the auction barns all around Central Texas.Please visit Robert's tribute page at www.HillierFuneralHome.com to share memories and stories.
The story of Capt. Wilhite's crew is documented in a book titled "Trouble" written by Sgt. Sweatt's son-in-law, Larry Smith.
----------------------------------------------------------
USAAF WW2
Waist gunner S/Sgt. Robert H. Sweatt EVD
Hometown: Bryan, Texas
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Squadron: 564th BS 389th Bomb Group
Pilot Capt. David L. Wilhite, KIA
Target: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:1853
Date Lost: 7-Jan-44
Serial Number: 42-41013 This ship was a veteran of "Operation Tidal Wave" the low level raid to destroy Romanian Oil fields flown by the 506 Squadron 44th Bomb group.
Aircraft Model B-24D-125-CO
Aircraft Letter: P
Aircraft Name: TROUBLE
Location: Bolbec, France
Cause: 10 KIA, 1 EVD
Notes: The 389th BG flies home alone over France. German fighters make repeated attacks and the group loses four aircraft.
SSgt Robert H Sweatt was a gunner on Capt. David L. Wilhite's crew. On Jan. 7, 1944, they were assigned to the B-24 Liberator 42-41013 "Trouble" when it took off from Station 114 in Hethel, Norwich, UK on a mission to bomb the industrial complex near Ludwigshafen, Germany. Maj. Kenneth Caldwell chose Trouble as his "command" plane making it the lead plane in the formation of the 2nd Combat Wing for this mission. Wilhite's normal co-pilot, Lt. Daily, also wanted to fly the mission so he remained on board listed as an observer. The mission was a success, but the bombers of the 2nd Combat Wing picked up a pack of German fighters over Chateauneuf-sur-Loire at ~1300 hours. "Trouble" was attacked at 21,000 feet by Hauptmann Egon Mayer, a German Ace pilot, flying an Fw-190 fighter. Trouble's cockpit and right wing were hit in the initial attack. Ablaze, the bomber dropped out of formation and went into a spin. Sgt. Sweatt was wounded during the initial attack in several places, including a nick to his jugular vein, and was trapped by centrifugal forces as the plane fell. Later, the plane exploded expelling Sgt. Sweatt and knocking him unconscious. He regained consciousness in time to open his parachute. It was reported that Lt. Wendell (Dan) Daily was also able to escape the plane but was shot before he hit the ground. Only Sgt Sweatt survived from the crew of Trouble that day. He was found by French farmers before the Germans could arrive and given clothing to appear French, thereby avoiding detection. Sgt. Sweatt was hidden by local French families (Duplant and Duneau) and nursed back to health until he was delivered to the operators of the Shelburne Escape Line (Bonaparte route). He arrived back in England on March 23rd, 1944. Sweatt later married and lived a full life with five children, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He lives in Bryan, Texas now, aged 97 in 2019. The crew members' bodies were eventually identified, likely by their dog tags, and recorded as buried in the Saint-Chéron de Chartres cemetery. On March 12th, 1944 at 10 am Mr. Broutin found an unidentifiable corpse in the woods of Bouville, which was probably Sgt. Saunders. Later, some of the bodies were interred in Normandy Cemetery and some were returned to the U. S. for re-burial.
By the northern wall of the local town church, next to the town's monument to the dead. Monument A small weathered white plaque commemorating American aviators surmounted by the picture of a B-24 and the 8th Air Force's crest with a US flag.
Monument Text:A la memoire des 10 aviateurs Americains tues le 7 janvier 1944.
english translation:In memory of the 10 American aviators who were killed on January 7th, 1944.
Maj Caldwell Kenneth M. - Co Pilot
Capt Wilhite David L. - Pilot
1st Lt Daily Wendell - Observer
1st Lt Roodman Harold - Navigator
1st Lt McConnell James J. - Bombardier
TSgt Saunders Harold L. - Mechanic
TSgt Flatter Samuel F. - Radio
SSgt Snyder Max J. - Gunner
SSgt Dewitt Charles O. - Gunner
SSgt Caplinger Charles R. - Gunner
et en hommage au seul survivant english translation: and dedicated to the sole survivor Sgt Sweatt Robert H. - Gunner
The "TROUBLE " Crew
Major Kenneth M. Caldwell Command Pilot KIA
Capt David L. Wilhite Pilot KIA
Capt David L. Wilhite Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. Wendell L. Daily Co Pilot KIA
1st/Lt. Harold Roodman Navigator KIA
1st/Lt James J. McConnell Bombardier KIA
T/Sgt. Harold L. Saunders Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Samuel W. Flatter Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. George R. Caplinger Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Charles A. De Witt Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Max J. Snyder Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Robert H. Sweatt Gunner EVD
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