Warner, Robert A.

Description

Robert A Warner

Robert A Warner was born on December 8, 1919, in New York City, New York, to Elma Louise Schmid-Warner and Arthur Wood Warner. He attended Rye Country Day School, Middlesex School and Wesleyan University. In Rye his family lived on Hillcrest Lane and were members of the Presbyterian Church.

He married Catherine Joann Stabell August 2, 1941. The wedding took place in a ceremony performed by candlelight in the old stone Presbyterian Church at Noroton, CT by the Rev. John D. Gregory, pastor of the Rye Presbyterian Church. The couple would have two children together. At the time of his marriage, before the war, Robert was serving at Fort Devens, MA, with Squadron A of New York National Guard, now the 101st Cavalry H-M, the reconnaissance unit of the Sixth Army Corps.

On February 13, 1943 Robert was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps. During World War II, he served with the 5th Air Corps in the Pacific and the 8th Air Corps in the European Theatre of Operations.

Lieut. Warner was a bombardier and navigator and a member of
the 8th Army Air Force. He had served
as a lead bomber with the 303rd Bombardment Group (“Hell’s Angels,”)

The 303rd Bombardment Group (H), nicknamed “Hell’s Angels,” was a renowned U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) B-17 Flying Fortress unit in World War II, stationed at RAF Molesworth, England, known for its legendary aircraft, the B-17F “Hell’s Angels,” the first to complete 25 missions, and for completing the most missions (364) of any B-17 group, earning distinctions like the “Knockout Dropper” aircraft achieving 75 missions.

They were pivotal in the strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany, flying from 1942-1945 and becoming symbols of courage in the Eighth Air Force.

Robert had previously served in the Asiatic-Pacific and in the American theatres of operation.

He was separated from the Army August 8, 1946, as Captain, Army Air Corps, after five years service. For his wartime record Robert received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. European Theatre of Operations three combat stars; Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, one combat star; Presidential Citation, two clusters.

He held a Reserve Commission until July 23,1954

Robert A Warner died on February 12, 2007, in Reno, Nevada, at the age of 87.