Robert Eugene Lary was born on November 26, 1926, in Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma. He was the son of William Ambrose Lary and Myrtle Daisy Dancy Lary. He served in the 347th Bomber Squadron, 99th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17G #42-32097 nicknamed "Slipstream" during World War II.

On December 18, 1944, Slipstream took part in a major bombing mission against the Odertal refinery as part of the 99th Bombardment Group’s strategic air campaign. A veteran aircraft with about 90 completed missions, Slipstream flew in the last squadron of the formation. After bombs were released, the aircraft fell slightly behind and was attacked by German FW-190 fighters, sustaining severe damage that knocked out its controls and set parts of the bomber ablaze. As the crew attempted to abandon the aircraft, additional attacks and centrifugal forces inside the spinning bomber killed several airmen before they could escape. The aircraft ultimately exploded and crashed near Bystrovany, along the Bystřice River in the present-day Czech Republic, scattering wreckage across nearby fields and villages. Seven crew members were killed, while three survived by parachuting and were captured by German forces.

Sgt Lary was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Département de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, http://www.leteckabadatelna.cz/, www.abmc.gov