Robert Arthur was born June 20, 1925 in Saint Louis, Missouri, the only child of Laura Stumpf and Arthur Russell Madden, a veteran of World War I. “According to the Alton Illinois Evening Telegraph newspaper they were married by Justice H. H. Lessner on November 25, 1922”. Mother Laura was listed in the 1916 St. Louis City Directory as living at 3824 Natural Bridge Avenue and employed as a hair dresser. At age four, the 1930 census listed the family living in a home they owned at 822 Brownell Avenue, Glendale, St. Louis County, Missouri. At that time it was valued at $10,000 ($155,000 today).1 The census also showed they owned a radio and Arthur provided for the family as a retail automobile salesman.2
During the next decade Robert’s parents were divorced with Laura having custody and living at 6B Washington Boulevard, University City, St. Louis County, Missouri. Robert was now fourteen and enrolled in high school. As many did during that time Laura also had two boarders living with them to help with expenses.3 His father had remarried a lady named Fay Hinson Mitchell giving Robert a step-sister, Patricia Mitchell.4
With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 the United States found itself in a second world war. Robert was fourteen at the time, but on his eighteenth birthday he promptly enlisted in the US Army Air Forces, June 20, 1943. Although not documented, it is believed that he gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot Wings through the Aviation Cadet program. His World War II records are sketchy but “according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he was formerly a flight leader in the 110 Fighter Bomber Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard that trained at Lambert-St. Louis Field”.5 Anther edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch stated “he served as a fighter pilot in China and India.6
World War II officially ended September 2, 1945 with the unconditional surrender of Japan. Robert was released from active duty at an unknown date and returned to civilian life. On Saturday afternoon, September 30, 1950 he and Miss Elizabeth Conner were married at the Central Presbyterian Church, Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch described the ceremony in part “Miss Elizabeth (Betty Jo) Connor, daughter of Dr. Hanson M. Connor and the late Marie Galloway Connor, became the bride of Robert Arthur Madden. The Rev. Dr. J. Layton Mauze, officiated. Dr. Connor gave his daughter in marriage and Mrs. Rex Carroll Willard (June Connor) was her sister’s matron of honor. The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. L. Stumpf Madden, University City and Arthur R. Madden, Farina, Illinois. Ralph W. Queal served as best man. Dr. Conner gave the reception in the Tower Room of the Congress Hotel. The former Miss Conner is a graduate of Monticello College, Godfrey, Illinois. Her husband is an alumnus of Webb School, Bell Buckle, Tennessee and former student at Princeton University to which he was awarded a scholarship. During the last war he served as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force for three and one half years. Last June, the bridegroom received his bachelor of science degree from the Washington University School of Business and Public Administration”.7
Two months later in December, Robert was recalled to active duty in the rank of Captain to serve in the Korean War that had began June 25, 1950. The date of his arrival in Korea in unknown but he would spend fourteen months as a prisoner of war. He later told his story to the Moberly Monitor-Index newspaper “It was June 1, 1952 and Captain Robert A. Madden took his light plane ‘down to the deck’ to get a closer look at a Red cave on Heartbreak Ridge. Madden, 28 of University City, Mo., had just pulled out of his dive when Red ground fire set his plane afire. ‘We kept on climbing until the fire got so bad we knew the plane was finished – it only took a few seconds – and we hit the silk. My observer broke an ankle leaving the plane. I was burned a bit. I came down on Heartbreak Ridge in a circle of waiting Reds. That night I tried to escape and they roughed me up a bit before they tied me up’. Later Madden told newsmen after his repatriation at Panmunjom on August 31, 1953 that he walked and trucked north to a POW collection center and then to camp No. 2. He was questioned by Communist intelligence officers at every stop and twice was threatened with beatings if he did not reveal military information. ‘But as it turned out it was just threats. I refused everything except my real name, rank and service number, but they did not give me any of the torture that they gave many fliers who were captured’ “.8
With the Korean War having ended two months earlier, Captain Robert A. Madden, former prisoner of war returned home a free man. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper described the homecoming. “Captain Robert A. Madden, a pilot who bailed out of his burning plane into Communist hands, landed at Lambert-St. Louis Field today, grinned happily and was greeted joyfully by his wife and family. ‘We never gave up hope’ said his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Madden, who with the Captain’s mother, Mrs. Laura Madden and other relatives and friends were in the welcoming party. The hope persisted despite the fact none of Captain Madden’s letters were mailed by his captors because as he explained, ‘I wouldn’t include the propaganda they wanted me to write’. He said he was questioned constantly by the Communists for as long as seven weeks at a stretch and was kept in solitary confinement. Madden was also greeted by members of the 110 Squadron of the 131 Bombardment Wing (Light) of the Missouri national Guard, his former outfit.”9
Robert served through the Vietnam War era retiring in the grade of Colonel (0-6) on February 28, 1969. The only reference to children is the Sr. in Robert’s name. His father passed in 1958 at the age of 59 but death information about mother Laura could not be located. Elizabeth and Robert retired to Florida at an unknown date where he passed at the age of 74 on October 11, 1999. Elizabeth passed February 14, 2011 at the age of 86 and they are both buried in the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida.10
References:
1. “$10,000 in 1930 → 2021 | Inflation Calculator.” Accessed February 3, 2021. https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1930?amount=10000.
2. Year: 1930; Census Place: Glendale, St. Louis, Missouri; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 2340958
3. Year: 1940; Census Place: University City, St Louis, Missouri; Roll: m-t0627-02148; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 95-75A
4. Year: 1940; Census Place: La Clede, Fayette, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00801; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 26-8
5. Newspapers.com. “4 Jun 1952, Page 24 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/140052056/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1
6. Newspapers.com. “18 Sep 1953, Page 4 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138829374/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1.
7. Newspapers.com. “1 Oct 1950, Page 88 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138143237/?article=ff0df9e0-54d6-4bdb-ab5d-b181a25543e7.
8. Newspapers.com. “31 Aug 1953, Page 6 - Moberly Monitor-Index at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/19711093/?terms=%22madden%22&match=2.
9. Newspapers.com. “18 Sep 1953, Page 4 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138829374/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1
10. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/940620/robert-arthur-madden
Military Information: LT COL, US AIR FORCE
During the next decade Robert’s parents were divorced with Laura having custody and living at 6B Washington Boulevard, University City, St. Louis County, Missouri. Robert was now fourteen and enrolled in high school. As many did during that time Laura also had two boarders living with them to help with expenses.3 His father had remarried a lady named Fay Hinson Mitchell giving Robert a step-sister, Patricia Mitchell.4
With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 the United States found itself in a second world war. Robert was fourteen at the time, but on his eighteenth birthday he promptly enlisted in the US Army Air Forces, June 20, 1943. Although not documented, it is believed that he gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot Wings through the Aviation Cadet program. His World War II records are sketchy but “according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he was formerly a flight leader in the 110 Fighter Bomber Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard that trained at Lambert-St. Louis Field”.5 Anther edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch stated “he served as a fighter pilot in China and India.6
World War II officially ended September 2, 1945 with the unconditional surrender of Japan. Robert was released from active duty at an unknown date and returned to civilian life. On Saturday afternoon, September 30, 1950 he and Miss Elizabeth Conner were married at the Central Presbyterian Church, Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch described the ceremony in part “Miss Elizabeth (Betty Jo) Connor, daughter of Dr. Hanson M. Connor and the late Marie Galloway Connor, became the bride of Robert Arthur Madden. The Rev. Dr. J. Layton Mauze, officiated. Dr. Connor gave his daughter in marriage and Mrs. Rex Carroll Willard (June Connor) was her sister’s matron of honor. The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. L. Stumpf Madden, University City and Arthur R. Madden, Farina, Illinois. Ralph W. Queal served as best man. Dr. Conner gave the reception in the Tower Room of the Congress Hotel. The former Miss Conner is a graduate of Monticello College, Godfrey, Illinois. Her husband is an alumnus of Webb School, Bell Buckle, Tennessee and former student at Princeton University to which he was awarded a scholarship. During the last war he served as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force for three and one half years. Last June, the bridegroom received his bachelor of science degree from the Washington University School of Business and Public Administration”.7
Two months later in December, Robert was recalled to active duty in the rank of Captain to serve in the Korean War that had began June 25, 1950. The date of his arrival in Korea in unknown but he would spend fourteen months as a prisoner of war. He later told his story to the Moberly Monitor-Index newspaper “It was June 1, 1952 and Captain Robert A. Madden took his light plane ‘down to the deck’ to get a closer look at a Red cave on Heartbreak Ridge. Madden, 28 of University City, Mo., had just pulled out of his dive when Red ground fire set his plane afire. ‘We kept on climbing until the fire got so bad we knew the plane was finished – it only took a few seconds – and we hit the silk. My observer broke an ankle leaving the plane. I was burned a bit. I came down on Heartbreak Ridge in a circle of waiting Reds. That night I tried to escape and they roughed me up a bit before they tied me up’. Later Madden told newsmen after his repatriation at Panmunjom on August 31, 1953 that he walked and trucked north to a POW collection center and then to camp No. 2. He was questioned by Communist intelligence officers at every stop and twice was threatened with beatings if he did not reveal military information. ‘But as it turned out it was just threats. I refused everything except my real name, rank and service number, but they did not give me any of the torture that they gave many fliers who were captured’ “.8
With the Korean War having ended two months earlier, Captain Robert A. Madden, former prisoner of war returned home a free man. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper described the homecoming. “Captain Robert A. Madden, a pilot who bailed out of his burning plane into Communist hands, landed at Lambert-St. Louis Field today, grinned happily and was greeted joyfully by his wife and family. ‘We never gave up hope’ said his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Madden, who with the Captain’s mother, Mrs. Laura Madden and other relatives and friends were in the welcoming party. The hope persisted despite the fact none of Captain Madden’s letters were mailed by his captors because as he explained, ‘I wouldn’t include the propaganda they wanted me to write’. He said he was questioned constantly by the Communists for as long as seven weeks at a stretch and was kept in solitary confinement. Madden was also greeted by members of the 110 Squadron of the 131 Bombardment Wing (Light) of the Missouri national Guard, his former outfit.”9
Robert served through the Vietnam War era retiring in the grade of Colonel (0-6) on February 28, 1969. The only reference to children is the Sr. in Robert’s name. His father passed in 1958 at the age of 59 but death information about mother Laura could not be located. Elizabeth and Robert retired to Florida at an unknown date where he passed at the age of 74 on October 11, 1999. Elizabeth passed February 14, 2011 at the age of 86 and they are both buried in the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida.10
References:
1. “$10,000 in 1930 → 2021 | Inflation Calculator.” Accessed February 3, 2021. https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1930?amount=10000.
2. Year: 1930; Census Place: Glendale, St. Louis, Missouri; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 2340958
3. Year: 1940; Census Place: University City, St Louis, Missouri; Roll: m-t0627-02148; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 95-75A
4. Year: 1940; Census Place: La Clede, Fayette, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00801; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 26-8
5. Newspapers.com. “4 Jun 1952, Page 24 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/140052056/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1
6. Newspapers.com. “18 Sep 1953, Page 4 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138829374/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1.
7. Newspapers.com. “1 Oct 1950, Page 88 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138143237/?article=ff0df9e0-54d6-4bdb-ab5d-b181a25543e7.
8. Newspapers.com. “31 Aug 1953, Page 6 - Moberly Monitor-Index at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/19711093/?terms=%22madden%22&match=2.
9. Newspapers.com. “18 Sep 1953, Page 4 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138829374/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1
10. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/940620/robert-arthur-madden
Military Information: LT COL, US AIR FORCE
Robert Arthur was born June 20, 1925 in Saint Louis, Missouri, the only child of Laura Stumpf and Arthur Russell Madden, a veteran of World War I. “According to the Alton Illinois Evening Telegraph newspaper they were married by Justice H. H. Lessner on November 25, 1922”. Mother Laura was listed in the 1916 St. Louis City Directory as living at 3824 Natural Bridge Avenue and employed as a hair dresser. At age four, the 1930 census listed the family living in a home they owned at 822 Brownell Avenue, Glendale, St. Louis County, Missouri. At that time it was valued at $10,000 ($155,000 today).1 The census also showed they owned a radio and Arthur provided for the family as a retail automobile salesman.2
During the next decade Robert’s parents were divorced with Laura having custody and living at 6B Washington Boulevard, University City, St. Louis County, Missouri. Robert was now fourteen and enrolled in high school. As many did during that time Laura also had two boarders living with them to help with expenses.3 His father had remarried a lady named Fay Hinson Mitchell giving Robert a step-sister, Patricia Mitchell.4
With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 the United States found itself in a second world war. Robert was fourteen at the time, but on his eighteenth birthday he promptly enlisted in the US Army Air Forces, June 20, 1943. Although not documented, it is believed that he gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot Wings through the Aviation Cadet program. His World War II records are sketchy but “according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he was formerly a flight leader in the 110 Fighter Bomber Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard that trained at Lambert-St. Louis Field”.5 Anther edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch stated “he served as a fighter pilot in China and India.6
World War II officially ended September 2, 1945 with the unconditional surrender of Japan. Robert was released from active duty at an unknown date and returned to civilian life. On Saturday afternoon, September 30, 1950 he and Miss Elizabeth Conner were married at the Central Presbyterian Church, Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch described the ceremony in part “Miss Elizabeth (Betty Jo) Connor, daughter of Dr. Hanson M. Connor and the late Marie Galloway Connor, became the bride of Robert Arthur Madden. The Rev. Dr. J. Layton Mauze, officiated. Dr. Connor gave his daughter in marriage and Mrs. Rex Carroll Willard (June Connor) was her sister’s matron of honor. The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. L. Stumpf Madden, University City and Arthur R. Madden, Farina, Illinois. Ralph W. Queal served as best man. Dr. Conner gave the reception in the Tower Room of the Congress Hotel. The former Miss Conner is a graduate of Monticello College, Godfrey, Illinois. Her husband is an alumnus of Webb School, Bell Buckle, Tennessee and former student at Princeton University to which he was awarded a scholarship. During the last war he served as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force for three and one half years. Last June, the bridegroom received his bachelor of science degree from the Washington University School of Business and Public Administration”.7
Two months later in December, Robert was recalled to active duty in the rank of Captain to serve in the Korean War that had began June 25, 1950. The date of his arrival in Korea in unknown but he would spend fourteen months as a prisoner of war. He later told his story to the Moberly Monitor-Index newspaper “It was June 1, 1952 and Captain Robert A. Madden took his light plane ‘down to the deck’ to get a closer look at a Red cave on Heartbreak Ridge. Madden, 28 of University City, Mo., had just pulled out of his dive when Red ground fire set his plane afire. ‘We kept on climbing until the fire got so bad we knew the plane was finished – it only took a few seconds – and we hit the silk. My observer broke an ankle leaving the plane. I was burned a bit. I came down on Heartbreak Ridge in a circle of waiting Reds. That night I tried to escape and they roughed me up a bit before they tied me up’. Later Madden told newsmen after his repatriation at Panmunjom on August 31, 1953 that he walked and trucked north to a POW collection center and then to camp No. 2. He was questioned by Communist intelligence officers at every stop and twice was threatened with beatings if he did not reveal military information. ‘But as it turned out it was just threats. I refused everything except my real name, rank and service number, but they did not give me any of the torture that they gave many fliers who were captured’ “.8
With the Korean War having ended two months earlier, Captain Robert A. Madden, former prisoner of war returned home a free man. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper described the homecoming. “Captain Robert A. Madden, a pilot who bailed out of his burning plane into Communist hands, landed at Lambert-St. Louis Field today, grinned happily and was greeted joyfully by his wife and family. ‘We never gave up hope’ said his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Madden, who with the Captain’s mother, Mrs. Laura Madden and other relatives and friends were in the welcoming party. The hope persisted despite the fact none of Captain Madden’s letters were mailed by his captors because as he explained, ‘I wouldn’t include the propaganda they wanted me to write’. He said he was questioned constantly by the Communists for as long as seven weeks at a stretch and was kept in solitary confinement. Madden was also greeted by members of the 110 Squadron of the 131 Bombardment Wing (Light) of the Missouri national Guard, his former outfit.”9
Robert served through the Vietnam War era retiring in the grade of Colonel (0-6) on February 28, 1969. The only reference to children is the Sr. in Robert’s name. His father passed in 1958 at the age of 59 but death information about mother Laura could not be located. Elizabeth and Robert retired to Florida at an unknown date where he passed at the age of 74 on October 11, 1999. Elizabeth passed February 14, 2011 at the age of 86 and they are both buried in the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida.10
References:
1. “$10,000 in 1930 → 2021 | Inflation Calculator.” Accessed February 3, 2021. https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1930?amount=10000.
2. Year: 1930; Census Place: Glendale, St. Louis, Missouri; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 2340958
3. Year: 1940; Census Place: University City, St Louis, Missouri; Roll: m-t0627-02148; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 95-75A
4. Year: 1940; Census Place: La Clede, Fayette, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00801; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 26-8
5. Newspapers.com. “4 Jun 1952, Page 24 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/140052056/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1
6. Newspapers.com. “18 Sep 1953, Page 4 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138829374/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1.
7. Newspapers.com. “1 Oct 1950, Page 88 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138143237/?article=ff0df9e0-54d6-4bdb-ab5d-b181a25543e7.
8. Newspapers.com. “31 Aug 1953, Page 6 - Moberly Monitor-Index at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/19711093/?terms=%22madden%22&match=2.
9. Newspapers.com. “18 Sep 1953, Page 4 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138829374/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1
10. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/940620/robert-arthur-madden
Military Information: LT COL, US AIR FORCE
During the next decade Robert’s parents were divorced with Laura having custody and living at 6B Washington Boulevard, University City, St. Louis County, Missouri. Robert was now fourteen and enrolled in high school. As many did during that time Laura also had two boarders living with them to help with expenses.3 His father had remarried a lady named Fay Hinson Mitchell giving Robert a step-sister, Patricia Mitchell.4
With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 the United States found itself in a second world war. Robert was fourteen at the time, but on his eighteenth birthday he promptly enlisted in the US Army Air Forces, June 20, 1943. Although not documented, it is believed that he gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot Wings through the Aviation Cadet program. His World War II records are sketchy but “according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he was formerly a flight leader in the 110 Fighter Bomber Squadron, Missouri Air National Guard that trained at Lambert-St. Louis Field”.5 Anther edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch stated “he served as a fighter pilot in China and India.6
World War II officially ended September 2, 1945 with the unconditional surrender of Japan. Robert was released from active duty at an unknown date and returned to civilian life. On Saturday afternoon, September 30, 1950 he and Miss Elizabeth Conner were married at the Central Presbyterian Church, Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch described the ceremony in part “Miss Elizabeth (Betty Jo) Connor, daughter of Dr. Hanson M. Connor and the late Marie Galloway Connor, became the bride of Robert Arthur Madden. The Rev. Dr. J. Layton Mauze, officiated. Dr. Connor gave his daughter in marriage and Mrs. Rex Carroll Willard (June Connor) was her sister’s matron of honor. The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. L. Stumpf Madden, University City and Arthur R. Madden, Farina, Illinois. Ralph W. Queal served as best man. Dr. Conner gave the reception in the Tower Room of the Congress Hotel. The former Miss Conner is a graduate of Monticello College, Godfrey, Illinois. Her husband is an alumnus of Webb School, Bell Buckle, Tennessee and former student at Princeton University to which he was awarded a scholarship. During the last war he served as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force for three and one half years. Last June, the bridegroom received his bachelor of science degree from the Washington University School of Business and Public Administration”.7
Two months later in December, Robert was recalled to active duty in the rank of Captain to serve in the Korean War that had began June 25, 1950. The date of his arrival in Korea in unknown but he would spend fourteen months as a prisoner of war. He later told his story to the Moberly Monitor-Index newspaper “It was June 1, 1952 and Captain Robert A. Madden took his light plane ‘down to the deck’ to get a closer look at a Red cave on Heartbreak Ridge. Madden, 28 of University City, Mo., had just pulled out of his dive when Red ground fire set his plane afire. ‘We kept on climbing until the fire got so bad we knew the plane was finished – it only took a few seconds – and we hit the silk. My observer broke an ankle leaving the plane. I was burned a bit. I came down on Heartbreak Ridge in a circle of waiting Reds. That night I tried to escape and they roughed me up a bit before they tied me up’. Later Madden told newsmen after his repatriation at Panmunjom on August 31, 1953 that he walked and trucked north to a POW collection center and then to camp No. 2. He was questioned by Communist intelligence officers at every stop and twice was threatened with beatings if he did not reveal military information. ‘But as it turned out it was just threats. I refused everything except my real name, rank and service number, but they did not give me any of the torture that they gave many fliers who were captured’ “.8
With the Korean War having ended two months earlier, Captain Robert A. Madden, former prisoner of war returned home a free man. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper described the homecoming. “Captain Robert A. Madden, a pilot who bailed out of his burning plane into Communist hands, landed at Lambert-St. Louis Field today, grinned happily and was greeted joyfully by his wife and family. ‘We never gave up hope’ said his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Madden, who with the Captain’s mother, Mrs. Laura Madden and other relatives and friends were in the welcoming party. The hope persisted despite the fact none of Captain Madden’s letters were mailed by his captors because as he explained, ‘I wouldn’t include the propaganda they wanted me to write’. He said he was questioned constantly by the Communists for as long as seven weeks at a stretch and was kept in solitary confinement. Madden was also greeted by members of the 110 Squadron of the 131 Bombardment Wing (Light) of the Missouri national Guard, his former outfit.”9
Robert served through the Vietnam War era retiring in the grade of Colonel (0-6) on February 28, 1969. The only reference to children is the Sr. in Robert’s name. His father passed in 1958 at the age of 59 but death information about mother Laura could not be located. Elizabeth and Robert retired to Florida at an unknown date where he passed at the age of 74 on October 11, 1999. Elizabeth passed February 14, 2011 at the age of 86 and they are both buried in the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida.10
References:
1. “$10,000 in 1930 → 2021 | Inflation Calculator.” Accessed February 3, 2021. https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1930?amount=10000.
2. Year: 1930; Census Place: Glendale, St. Louis, Missouri; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 2340958
3. Year: 1940; Census Place: University City, St Louis, Missouri; Roll: m-t0627-02148; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 95-75A
4. Year: 1940; Census Place: La Clede, Fayette, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00801; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 26-8
5. Newspapers.com. “4 Jun 1952, Page 24 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/140052056/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1
6. Newspapers.com. “18 Sep 1953, Page 4 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138829374/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1.
7. Newspapers.com. “1 Oct 1950, Page 88 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138143237/?article=ff0df9e0-54d6-4bdb-ab5d-b181a25543e7.
8. Newspapers.com. “31 Aug 1953, Page 6 - Moberly Monitor-Index at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/19711093/?terms=%22madden%22&match=2.
9. Newspapers.com. “18 Sep 1953, Page 4 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch at Newspapers.Com.” Accessed February 1, 2021. http://www.newspapers.com/image/138829374/?terms=%22Robert%20Madden%22&match=1
10. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/940620/robert-arthur-madden
Military Information: LT COL, US AIR FORCE
Gravesite Details
WORLD WAR II, KOREA & VIETNAM
