Robert Richard Abbott was born on May 17, 1923, in Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio. He was the son of Charles Millard "Charley" Abbott and Winifred "Winnie" Kern Abbott. He entered military service on April 9, 1943, and went overseas in April 1944. He served in the 787th Bomb Squadron, 466th Bomb Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-24H #42-52597, nicknamed “Lady Lightning,” during World War II.

On August 15, 1944, the “Lady Lightning” was returning from a combat mission when it was attacked by German fighters over the Netherlands. The aircraft, piloted by 1st Lt. John Suchiu and carrying Crew 725, was hit near Nijensleek and Wapserveen. The damage was catastrophic: the entire tail section broke away, and the bomber came down in pieces near the Steenwijker Aa, while the detached tail fell near Wapserveen. Of the ten crewmen aboard, four were killed. The other six escaped from the aircraft by parachute; German forces captured five and became prisoners of war, while one successfully evaded capture with assistance from the Dutch resistance and remained in hiding until liberation in April 1945. Lady Lightning was one of four 466th Bomb Group B-24s lost over the Netherlands that day. Across the four crews, the losses totaled 19 killed, 18 prisoners of war, and three evaders.

SSgt Abbott was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio, USA.

Sources of information: www.findagrave.com,www466thbga.com