Robert E. "Bob" Sidders was born on September 21, 1920, in Giltner, Hamilton County, Nebraska. He was the son of James William Sidders and Florence Marie Marvel Sidders. He was the husband of Joan Darlene Stonehocker Sidders.

Robert served in the 326th Bomber Squadron, 92nd Bomb Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Radio Operator/Mechanic on the B-17 #42-37984 during World War II.

On February 8, 1944, his crew took off at 08:20h from Station 109 airfield in England for a bombing mission to Frankfurt, Germany. Shot down by enemy fighters, the aircraft's engine no.2 caught fire and the crew bailed out of the plane. All members were able to evade German capture except for the bombardier. Sgt Sidders was one of the 152 allied airmen and soldiers who were helped and hidden in the Freteval Forest camp by the French Resistance to evade German capture.

SSgt Sidders died on December 9, 1971, at the age of 51. He is now buried in the Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net