Robert Daniel “Curly” Gautreau was born on October 26, 1923. He enlisted in the service on October 29, 1942. He served in the 785th Bomber Squadron, 466th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Flight Engineer of B-24J #42-50717, nicknamed “Berlin Bound,” during World War II.

On February 17, 1945, B-24J #42-50717 “Berlin Bound” took off from RAF Attlebridge with the 466th Bomb Group for a mission against the Magdeburg oil refinery in Germany. Shortly after takeoff, its No. 2 engine, which had experienced technical problems before departure, caught fire while the aircraft was about 12 miles off the North Norfolk coast. The pilot immediately turned back toward England, but the fire continued to spread along the wing. While still over the North Sea, three crewmen bailed out; one survived, while two drowned. After reaching the English coast, two more crewmen successfully bailed out at low altitude. At approximately 9:30 a.m., the burning Liberator crashed at Church Farm near Field Dalling, Norfolk. Six American airmen were killed, and three survived. The crash also struck a field where Italian prisoners of war were working, killing one immediately and fatally injuring another, who died four days later.

SSgt Gautreau was among those who were Killed in Action and is now buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA.

Sources of information: www.findagrave.com, www.fdands.org