Robert Malcolm Long was born on July 15, 1924, in Palmyra, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Irvin David Long and Minnie E. Detweiler Long. A graduate of Hershey High School’s Class of 1942, he attended Hershey Junior College before entering the Army Air Corps on September 29, 1943. He completed basic training at Keesler Field, Mississippi, and Tyndall Field, Florida, where he earned his wings, followed by additional training at Westover Field, Massachusetts; Chatham Field, Georgia; and Langley Field, Virginia. He served in the 701st Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Nose Turret Gunner of B-24 #42-50579 'Little Audrey' during World War II.

On September 27, 1944, B-24J “Little Audrey” of the 445th Bomb Group was heavily damaged during a German fighter attack. The aircraft suffered severe structural and system failures, including a burning engine, destroyed oxygen and hydraulic systems, failed communications, and heavy battle damage across the wings and fuselage. Several crew members were wounded, including the tail gunner and waist gunners, and the bomber struggled to remain airborne on reduced power. The crew attempted to fly west toward Allied-held territory, but with failing systems and low altitude, they were unable to escape danger. A friendly P-51 fighter briefly approached but could not assist because Little Audrey’s radio was destroyed. As the damaged bomber crossed the Rhine River at low altitude, it came under intense ground fire. Pilot Donald N. Reynolds descended further and prepared the crew for an emergency landing. The aircraft crash-landed near Polch, Germany, around noon.

Sgt Long was Killed in Action in the incident and is now buried in the Hershey Cemetery, Hershey, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, Kassel Mission Historical Project