In Memory of him
1st Lt. U S Army Air Forces; World War II
Purple Heart; MIA- Pilot B-17
--Information from the "History of Tift County" by Ida Belle Williams, C. 1948 by the Tift County Historical Society and reprinted by W H Wolfe Associates of Atlanta in 1979, page 274:"Robert B. Powledge was a boy of 14 when he came to live with his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Culpepper. He was shy but made many friends and excelled in football. He volunteered for the National Guard in 1941, joining the 101st, Anti-aircraft Battalion in Atlanta. He trained at Camp Stewart a year and transferred to the Air Corps as an aviation cadet. The day he earned his wings was the happiest day of his short life. In March 1943, he left the States, a second Lieutenant in command of his own B-17. He was stationed in England. On July 17, 1943, he left on his ninth combat mission over Germany from which he failed to return. His plane was seen going down over the North Sea. Though the details of his death are not known, all who knew him are sure he died a hero's death."
Information from "Some Gave All, Personal Stories of Sacrifice", written by Carolyn E. Abell, c. 2011 by Tift Genealogical Society and published by Family Heritage Publishers of Murray, Utah page 104-107:
"His parents were Robert L Powledge and Cleone Culpepper Powledge, and he had two older sisters, Marjorie and Mildred. He was raised by his aunt and uncle because his father remarried when he was a teenager. Days after he wrote his last letter home, he flew a mission near Helgoland Island in the North Sea, when he was attached by enemy fighter planes. His body was never recovered, but he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, the Netherlands. He was posthumously promoted to First Lieutenant and awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal. The monument in Oak ridge is a cenotaph memorial erected by his family"
Obit. The Tifton Gazette- Oct. 26, 2014
Robert Berry Powledge was born on December 10, 1919 in Fulton County, Georgia to Mr. Robert L. Powledge and Nova Cleone Powledge. He had two sisters Mildred Powledge Weaks and Marjorie Powledge Burton. Robert's mother died when he was just five years old and his father died when he was ten. He then came to live with his uncle and aunt, Boozer a Tift county agent for thirty seven years and his wife Ethel Culpepper along with their three daughters, Susie, Marion and Tunkey. They all willingly accepted him in their Tifton, Georgia home located at the corner of 12th Street and Love Ave. He was like a brother to the young Culpepper girls. The three girls were happy to share a room with a very small closet so he could have a bedroom of his own. They didn't mind because he was such a sweet and unselfish young man. He was also very handsome. He joined their church, Tifton First United Methodist. Robert made friends easily in Tifton and especially while he attended Tifton High School. He was co-captain of the football team. His teammates included Harold Whiddon, (who later married Marion Culpepper), Frank Smith Son Bowen, Frank Corry Tom Youmans, James Dewey Watson, Pug O'Quinn, H. B. Hutchinson, Claxton Moore, Billy Smith, Eugene Conger, Gilbert Waldrop, and Tickle Jordan. His coach was Raymond Brooks. Robert graduated from Tifton High School in 1937. After graduation, Robert attended Georgia Tech and then joined the "Old Governor's Horse Guard", a National Guard unit in 1940. The unit went on active duty in February, 1941. As the war escalated, he decided to begin pre-flight school in the Army Air Corp. Sometime during this time he became engaged to a Tifton girl by the name of Mary Julia Nesmith. In February, 1942, Robert went into pilot training in Ellinton Field, Waco, Texas. The Culpeppers made the trip to Texas to see their nephew graduate in October 1942. In March of 1943, he left the States a second Lieutenant in command of his own B-17 "Flying Fortress" bomber plane. He was stationed in England. He wrote regularly to his uncle, whom he affectionately called, Boozerman but he made sure the letters were meant for the whole family. He was not able to reveal much about his location or flying missions. In a letter written July 9, 1943, he wrote a letter to his uncle with some special instructions as to the money he was sending home. He said, "I want to remind you again to be sure you fix it so that you can get the money and the bonds in case something happens to me. Not that I 'm worried or anything; in case you or Auntie run a little short sometime do not hesitate to use any of it because it's certainly doing me no good now." He goes on to say he sure wished he was in Tifton enjoying a good hot summer day. It was very cold where he was at that time. This was his last letter to the family. Just eight days later, Robert's B-17 bomber went on a bombing mission near Helgoland Island in the North Sea, which is located on the northwestern side of Germany. His plane was attached by enemy fighters several miles from the German coast closely pursued by enemy planes. It was stated "His plane failed to return to base after the bombing mission." The Culpepper girls always remembered that fateful Saturday evening on July 24, 1943 at 8:00 P.M. when someone knocked on their door. Marion answered the door to find a Western Union deliveryman with a telegram addressed to her father. It read: " I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT THE COMMANDING GENERAL EUROPEAN AREA REPORTS YOUR NEPHEW SECOND LIEUTENANT ROBERT B. POWLEDGE MISSING IN ACTION SINCE SEVENTEEN JULY, IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION OF HIS STATUS ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFIED= ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL WASH D.C." The family was distraught but hopeful that Robert would turn up alive. On 26 July 1943, The Tifton Gazette carried the announcement of Robert's MIA status. After a year and a day with no word from him, he was declared dead. Robert was promoted posthumously to First Lieutenant and awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. These events were also posted in the Tifton Gazette. The Culpepper Family never gave up hope. They never had a memorial service for Robert because they felt he would one day return home. In the late forties, the Culpeppers added a monument to their family plot in memory of Robert. Later, Tunkey and Marion were concerned because each Memorial Day, flags were placed to mark their husband WWII service to their country but a flag was never placed for Robert, so they added a new marker for Robert so all would know what a true hero he was to his country. The only surviving member of the Culpepper family, Margaret (Tunkey) Culpepper Bergeron turns 90 years of age on October 28th. Her only wish for her 90th birthday is to have a memorial service for her beloved cousin, Robert with the full military honors he greatly deserves. This service will be October 26, 2013 at 10:00 A. M. in Oakridge Cemetery. This public is invited to attend. Robert died in the service of his country. He was a true hero, not only to his family, but his country as well. Albritton- Beaumont Funeral Directors are assisting the family with the memorial services.
Suggested edit: B 17 Bomber 42-3219 DEAR MOM
All Ten Crew Members Missing in Action
Contributor: Royce Arnold Scott (49073092) •
1st Lt. U S Army Air Forces; World War II
Purple Heart; MIA- Pilot B-17
--Information from the "History of Tift County" by Ida Belle Williams, C. 1948 by the Tift County Historical Society and reprinted by W H Wolfe Associates of Atlanta in 1979, page 274:"Robert B. Powledge was a boy of 14 when he came to live with his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Culpepper. He was shy but made many friends and excelled in football. He volunteered for the National Guard in 1941, joining the 101st, Anti-aircraft Battalion in Atlanta. He trained at Camp Stewart a year and transferred to the Air Corps as an aviation cadet. The day he earned his wings was the happiest day of his short life. In March 1943, he left the States, a second Lieutenant in command of his own B-17. He was stationed in England. On July 17, 1943, he left on his ninth combat mission over Germany from which he failed to return. His plane was seen going down over the North Sea. Though the details of his death are not known, all who knew him are sure he died a hero's death."
Information from "Some Gave All, Personal Stories of Sacrifice", written by Carolyn E. Abell, c. 2011 by Tift Genealogical Society and published by Family Heritage Publishers of Murray, Utah page 104-107:
"His parents were Robert L Powledge and Cleone Culpepper Powledge, and he had two older sisters, Marjorie and Mildred. He was raised by his aunt and uncle because his father remarried when he was a teenager. Days after he wrote his last letter home, he flew a mission near Helgoland Island in the North Sea, when he was attached by enemy fighter planes. His body was never recovered, but he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, the Netherlands. He was posthumously promoted to First Lieutenant and awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal. The monument in Oak ridge is a cenotaph memorial erected by his family"
Obit. The Tifton Gazette- Oct. 26, 2014
Robert Berry Powledge was born on December 10, 1919 in Fulton County, Georgia to Mr. Robert L. Powledge and Nova Cleone Powledge. He had two sisters Mildred Powledge Weaks and Marjorie Powledge Burton. Robert's mother died when he was just five years old and his father died when he was ten. He then came to live with his uncle and aunt, Boozer a Tift county agent for thirty seven years and his wife Ethel Culpepper along with their three daughters, Susie, Marion and Tunkey. They all willingly accepted him in their Tifton, Georgia home located at the corner of 12th Street and Love Ave. He was like a brother to the young Culpepper girls. The three girls were happy to share a room with a very small closet so he could have a bedroom of his own. They didn't mind because he was such a sweet and unselfish young man. He was also very handsome. He joined their church, Tifton First United Methodist. Robert made friends easily in Tifton and especially while he attended Tifton High School. He was co-captain of the football team. His teammates included Harold Whiddon, (who later married Marion Culpepper), Frank Smith Son Bowen, Frank Corry Tom Youmans, James Dewey Watson, Pug O'Quinn, H. B. Hutchinson, Claxton Moore, Billy Smith, Eugene Conger, Gilbert Waldrop, and Tickle Jordan. His coach was Raymond Brooks. Robert graduated from Tifton High School in 1937. After graduation, Robert attended Georgia Tech and then joined the "Old Governor's Horse Guard", a National Guard unit in 1940. The unit went on active duty in February, 1941. As the war escalated, he decided to begin pre-flight school in the Army Air Corp. Sometime during this time he became engaged to a Tifton girl by the name of Mary Julia Nesmith. In February, 1942, Robert went into pilot training in Ellinton Field, Waco, Texas. The Culpeppers made the trip to Texas to see their nephew graduate in October 1942. In March of 1943, he left the States a second Lieutenant in command of his own B-17 "Flying Fortress" bomber plane. He was stationed in England. He wrote regularly to his uncle, whom he affectionately called, Boozerman but he made sure the letters were meant for the whole family. He was not able to reveal much about his location or flying missions. In a letter written July 9, 1943, he wrote a letter to his uncle with some special instructions as to the money he was sending home. He said, "I want to remind you again to be sure you fix it so that you can get the money and the bonds in case something happens to me. Not that I 'm worried or anything; in case you or Auntie run a little short sometime do not hesitate to use any of it because it's certainly doing me no good now." He goes on to say he sure wished he was in Tifton enjoying a good hot summer day. It was very cold where he was at that time. This was his last letter to the family. Just eight days later, Robert's B-17 bomber went on a bombing mission near Helgoland Island in the North Sea, which is located on the northwestern side of Germany. His plane was attached by enemy fighters several miles from the German coast closely pursued by enemy planes. It was stated "His plane failed to return to base after the bombing mission." The Culpepper girls always remembered that fateful Saturday evening on July 24, 1943 at 8:00 P.M. when someone knocked on their door. Marion answered the door to find a Western Union deliveryman with a telegram addressed to her father. It read: " I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT THE COMMANDING GENERAL EUROPEAN AREA REPORTS YOUR NEPHEW SECOND LIEUTENANT ROBERT B. POWLEDGE MISSING IN ACTION SINCE SEVENTEEN JULY, IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION OF HIS STATUS ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFIED= ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL WASH D.C." The family was distraught but hopeful that Robert would turn up alive. On 26 July 1943, The Tifton Gazette carried the announcement of Robert's MIA status. After a year and a day with no word from him, he was declared dead. Robert was promoted posthumously to First Lieutenant and awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. These events were also posted in the Tifton Gazette. The Culpepper Family never gave up hope. They never had a memorial service for Robert because they felt he would one day return home. In the late forties, the Culpeppers added a monument to their family plot in memory of Robert. Later, Tunkey and Marion were concerned because each Memorial Day, flags were placed to mark their husband WWII service to their country but a flag was never placed for Robert, so they added a new marker for Robert so all would know what a true hero he was to his country. The only surviving member of the Culpepper family, Margaret (Tunkey) Culpepper Bergeron turns 90 years of age on October 28th. Her only wish for her 90th birthday is to have a memorial service for her beloved cousin, Robert with the full military honors he greatly deserves. This service will be October 26, 2013 at 10:00 A. M. in Oakridge Cemetery. This public is invited to attend. Robert died in the service of his country. He was a true hero, not only to his family, but his country as well. Albritton- Beaumont Funeral Directors are assisting the family with the memorial services.
Suggested edit: B 17 Bomber 42-3219 DEAR MOM
All Ten Crew Members Missing in Action
Contributor: Royce Arnold Scott (49073092) •
In Memory of him
1st Lt. U S Army Air Forces; World War II
Purple Heart; MIA- Pilot B-17
--Information from the "History of Tift County" by Ida Belle Williams, C. 1948 by the Tift County Historical Society and reprinted by W H Wolfe Associates of Atlanta in 1979, page 274:"Robert B. Powledge was a boy of 14 when he came to live with his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Culpepper. He was shy but made many friends and excelled in football. He volunteered for the National Guard in 1941, joining the 101st, Anti-aircraft Battalion in Atlanta. He trained at Camp Stewart a year and transferred to the Air Corps as an aviation cadet. The day he earned his wings was the happiest day of his short life. In March 1943, he left the States, a second Lieutenant in command of his own B-17. He was stationed in England. On July 17, 1943, he left on his ninth combat mission over Germany from which he failed to return. His plane was seen going down over the North Sea. Though the details of his death are not known, all who knew him are sure he died a hero's death."
Information from "Some Gave All, Personal Stories of Sacrifice", written by Carolyn E. Abell, c. 2011 by Tift Genealogical Society and published by Family Heritage Publishers of Murray, Utah page 104-107:
"His parents were Robert L Powledge and Cleone Culpepper Powledge, and he had two older sisters, Marjorie and Mildred. He was raised by his aunt and uncle because his father remarried when he was a teenager. Days after he wrote his last letter home, he flew a mission near Helgoland Island in the North Sea, when he was attached by enemy fighter planes. His body was never recovered, but he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, the Netherlands. He was posthumously promoted to First Lieutenant and awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal. The monument in Oak ridge is a cenotaph memorial erected by his family"
Obit. The Tifton Gazette- Oct. 26, 2014
Robert Berry Powledge was born on December 10, 1919 in Fulton County, Georgia to Mr. Robert L. Powledge and Nova Cleone Powledge. He had two sisters Mildred Powledge Weaks and Marjorie Powledge Burton. Robert's mother died when he was just five years old and his father died when he was ten. He then came to live with his uncle and aunt, Boozer a Tift county agent for thirty seven years and his wife Ethel Culpepper along with their three daughters, Susie, Marion and Tunkey. They all willingly accepted him in their Tifton, Georgia home located at the corner of 12th Street and Love Ave. He was like a brother to the young Culpepper girls. The three girls were happy to share a room with a very small closet so he could have a bedroom of his own. They didn't mind because he was such a sweet and unselfish young man. He was also very handsome. He joined their church, Tifton First United Methodist. Robert made friends easily in Tifton and especially while he attended Tifton High School. He was co-captain of the football team. His teammates included Harold Whiddon, (who later married Marion Culpepper), Frank Smith Son Bowen, Frank Corry Tom Youmans, James Dewey Watson, Pug O'Quinn, H. B. Hutchinson, Claxton Moore, Billy Smith, Eugene Conger, Gilbert Waldrop, and Tickle Jordan. His coach was Raymond Brooks. Robert graduated from Tifton High School in 1937. After graduation, Robert attended Georgia Tech and then joined the "Old Governor's Horse Guard", a National Guard unit in 1940. The unit went on active duty in February, 1941. As the war escalated, he decided to begin pre-flight school in the Army Air Corp. Sometime during this time he became engaged to a Tifton girl by the name of Mary Julia Nesmith. In February, 1942, Robert went into pilot training in Ellinton Field, Waco, Texas. The Culpeppers made the trip to Texas to see their nephew graduate in October 1942. In March of 1943, he left the States a second Lieutenant in command of his own B-17 "Flying Fortress" bomber plane. He was stationed in England. He wrote regularly to his uncle, whom he affectionately called, Boozerman but he made sure the letters were meant for the whole family. He was not able to reveal much about his location or flying missions. In a letter written July 9, 1943, he wrote a letter to his uncle with some special instructions as to the money he was sending home. He said, "I want to remind you again to be sure you fix it so that you can get the money and the bonds in case something happens to me. Not that I 'm worried or anything; in case you or Auntie run a little short sometime do not hesitate to use any of it because it's certainly doing me no good now." He goes on to say he sure wished he was in Tifton enjoying a good hot summer day. It was very cold where he was at that time. This was his last letter to the family. Just eight days later, Robert's B-17 bomber went on a bombing mission near Helgoland Island in the North Sea, which is located on the northwestern side of Germany. His plane was attached by enemy fighters several miles from the German coast closely pursued by enemy planes. It was stated "His plane failed to return to base after the bombing mission." The Culpepper girls always remembered that fateful Saturday evening on July 24, 1943 at 8:00 P.M. when someone knocked on their door. Marion answered the door to find a Western Union deliveryman with a telegram addressed to her father. It read: " I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT THE COMMANDING GENERAL EUROPEAN AREA REPORTS YOUR NEPHEW SECOND LIEUTENANT ROBERT B. POWLEDGE MISSING IN ACTION SINCE SEVENTEEN JULY, IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION OF HIS STATUS ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFIED= ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL WASH D.C." The family was distraught but hopeful that Robert would turn up alive. On 26 July 1943, The Tifton Gazette carried the announcement of Robert's MIA status. After a year and a day with no word from him, he was declared dead. Robert was promoted posthumously to First Lieutenant and awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. These events were also posted in the Tifton Gazette. The Culpepper Family never gave up hope. They never had a memorial service for Robert because they felt he would one day return home. In the late forties, the Culpeppers added a monument to their family plot in memory of Robert. Later, Tunkey and Marion were concerned because each Memorial Day, flags were placed to mark their husband WWII service to their country but a flag was never placed for Robert, so they added a new marker for Robert so all would know what a true hero he was to his country. The only surviving member of the Culpepper family, Margaret (Tunkey) Culpepper Bergeron turns 90 years of age on October 28th. Her only wish for her 90th birthday is to have a memorial service for her beloved cousin, Robert with the full military honors he greatly deserves. This service will be October 26, 2013 at 10:00 A. M. in Oakridge Cemetery. This public is invited to attend. Robert died in the service of his country. He was a true hero, not only to his family, but his country as well. Albritton- Beaumont Funeral Directors are assisting the family with the memorial services.
Suggested edit: B 17 Bomber 42-3219 DEAR MOM
All Ten Crew Members Missing in Action
Contributor: Royce Arnold Scott (49073092) •
1st Lt. U S Army Air Forces; World War II
Purple Heart; MIA- Pilot B-17
--Information from the "History of Tift County" by Ida Belle Williams, C. 1948 by the Tift County Historical Society and reprinted by W H Wolfe Associates of Atlanta in 1979, page 274:"Robert B. Powledge was a boy of 14 when he came to live with his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Culpepper. He was shy but made many friends and excelled in football. He volunteered for the National Guard in 1941, joining the 101st, Anti-aircraft Battalion in Atlanta. He trained at Camp Stewart a year and transferred to the Air Corps as an aviation cadet. The day he earned his wings was the happiest day of his short life. In March 1943, he left the States, a second Lieutenant in command of his own B-17. He was stationed in England. On July 17, 1943, he left on his ninth combat mission over Germany from which he failed to return. His plane was seen going down over the North Sea. Though the details of his death are not known, all who knew him are sure he died a hero's death."
Information from "Some Gave All, Personal Stories of Sacrifice", written by Carolyn E. Abell, c. 2011 by Tift Genealogical Society and published by Family Heritage Publishers of Murray, Utah page 104-107:
"His parents were Robert L Powledge and Cleone Culpepper Powledge, and he had two older sisters, Marjorie and Mildred. He was raised by his aunt and uncle because his father remarried when he was a teenager. Days after he wrote his last letter home, he flew a mission near Helgoland Island in the North Sea, when he was attached by enemy fighter planes. His body was never recovered, but he is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, the Netherlands. He was posthumously promoted to First Lieutenant and awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal. The monument in Oak ridge is a cenotaph memorial erected by his family"
Obit. The Tifton Gazette- Oct. 26, 2014
Robert Berry Powledge was born on December 10, 1919 in Fulton County, Georgia to Mr. Robert L. Powledge and Nova Cleone Powledge. He had two sisters Mildred Powledge Weaks and Marjorie Powledge Burton. Robert's mother died when he was just five years old and his father died when he was ten. He then came to live with his uncle and aunt, Boozer a Tift county agent for thirty seven years and his wife Ethel Culpepper along with their three daughters, Susie, Marion and Tunkey. They all willingly accepted him in their Tifton, Georgia home located at the corner of 12th Street and Love Ave. He was like a brother to the young Culpepper girls. The three girls were happy to share a room with a very small closet so he could have a bedroom of his own. They didn't mind because he was such a sweet and unselfish young man. He was also very handsome. He joined their church, Tifton First United Methodist. Robert made friends easily in Tifton and especially while he attended Tifton High School. He was co-captain of the football team. His teammates included Harold Whiddon, (who later married Marion Culpepper), Frank Smith Son Bowen, Frank Corry Tom Youmans, James Dewey Watson, Pug O'Quinn, H. B. Hutchinson, Claxton Moore, Billy Smith, Eugene Conger, Gilbert Waldrop, and Tickle Jordan. His coach was Raymond Brooks. Robert graduated from Tifton High School in 1937. After graduation, Robert attended Georgia Tech and then joined the "Old Governor's Horse Guard", a National Guard unit in 1940. The unit went on active duty in February, 1941. As the war escalated, he decided to begin pre-flight school in the Army Air Corp. Sometime during this time he became engaged to a Tifton girl by the name of Mary Julia Nesmith. In February, 1942, Robert went into pilot training in Ellinton Field, Waco, Texas. The Culpeppers made the trip to Texas to see their nephew graduate in October 1942. In March of 1943, he left the States a second Lieutenant in command of his own B-17 "Flying Fortress" bomber plane. He was stationed in England. He wrote regularly to his uncle, whom he affectionately called, Boozerman but he made sure the letters were meant for the whole family. He was not able to reveal much about his location or flying missions. In a letter written July 9, 1943, he wrote a letter to his uncle with some special instructions as to the money he was sending home. He said, "I want to remind you again to be sure you fix it so that you can get the money and the bonds in case something happens to me. Not that I 'm worried or anything; in case you or Auntie run a little short sometime do not hesitate to use any of it because it's certainly doing me no good now." He goes on to say he sure wished he was in Tifton enjoying a good hot summer day. It was very cold where he was at that time. This was his last letter to the family. Just eight days later, Robert's B-17 bomber went on a bombing mission near Helgoland Island in the North Sea, which is located on the northwestern side of Germany. His plane was attached by enemy fighters several miles from the German coast closely pursued by enemy planes. It was stated "His plane failed to return to base after the bombing mission." The Culpepper girls always remembered that fateful Saturday evening on July 24, 1943 at 8:00 P.M. when someone knocked on their door. Marion answered the door to find a Western Union deliveryman with a telegram addressed to her father. It read: " I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT THE COMMANDING GENERAL EUROPEAN AREA REPORTS YOUR NEPHEW SECOND LIEUTENANT ROBERT B. POWLEDGE MISSING IN ACTION SINCE SEVENTEEN JULY, IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION OF HIS STATUS ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFIED= ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL WASH D.C." The family was distraught but hopeful that Robert would turn up alive. On 26 July 1943, The Tifton Gazette carried the announcement of Robert's MIA status. After a year and a day with no word from him, he was declared dead. Robert was promoted posthumously to First Lieutenant and awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. These events were also posted in the Tifton Gazette. The Culpepper Family never gave up hope. They never had a memorial service for Robert because they felt he would one day return home. In the late forties, the Culpeppers added a monument to their family plot in memory of Robert. Later, Tunkey and Marion were concerned because each Memorial Day, flags were placed to mark their husband WWII service to their country but a flag was never placed for Robert, so they added a new marker for Robert so all would know what a true hero he was to his country. The only surviving member of the Culpepper family, Margaret (Tunkey) Culpepper Bergeron turns 90 years of age on October 28th. Her only wish for her 90th birthday is to have a memorial service for her beloved cousin, Robert with the full military honors he greatly deserves. This service will be October 26, 2013 at 10:00 A. M. in Oakridge Cemetery. This public is invited to attend. Robert died in the service of his country. He was a true hero, not only to his family, but his country as well. Albritton- Beaumont Funeral Directors are assisting the family with the memorial services.
Suggested edit: B 17 Bomber 42-3219 DEAR MOM
All Ten Crew Members Missing in Action
Contributor: Royce Arnold Scott (49073092) •
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