Robert Friedman served in the 760th Bomber Squadron, 460th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Nose Turret Gunner of B-24 #42-51160 during World War II.

On June 30, 1944, the aircraft based at Spinazzola Airfield near Foggia, Italy, was shot down during a bombing mission to the South Synthetic Oil Refinery at Blechhammer, Germany. While flying near Lake Balaton, Hungary, the bomber formation encountered heavy enemy fighter opposition and poor weather conditions over the Balaton region, which forced the formation to alter its course and left it vulnerable to attack. During the engagement, the aircraft was hit by gunfire from a German Messerschmitt Me 410A of ZG 76/2. Hungarian fighter activity in the area was also reported during the battle. The Liberator crashed near Szigliget at approximately 10:50 AM. Five of the ten crew members were killed in the crash, while the remaining five successfully bailed out, were captured as prisoners of war, and were later released in 1945.

SSgt Friedman successfully bailed out of the aircraft but was captured and held as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 4 Gross-Tychow, Pomerania, Prussia. Currently, we don't have details about his post-war life, death, or burial location.

Source of information: aad.archives.gov, airbase.blog.hu, www.15thaf.org