Personnel

ORIGINAL CREW:



LT ROBERT ROSENTHAL 		PILOT  Legendary 100th airman - flew 52 missions 

LT WINIFRED T. "PAPPY" LEWIS	CP CPT MARCH 8, 1944  BERLIN  DFC w/OLC

LT RONALD C. BAILEY   		NAV CPT MARCH 8, 1944  BERLIN  DFC w/OLC

LT CLIFFORD MILBURN                   	BOM CPT MARCH 8, 1944  BERLIN DFC w/OLC

SGT MICHAEL BOCCUZZI                	ROG CPT MARCH 8, 1944  BERLIN  DFC w/OLC

SGT CLARENCE C. HALL                 	TTE CPT MARCH 8, 1944  BERLIN  DFC w/OLC

SGT RAY H. ROBINSON                    	BTG CPT MARCH 8, 1944  BERLIN DFC w/OLC

SGT LOREN DARLING*                    	WG SWA 10 OCT 43 MUNSTER 

SGT JOHN H. SHAFFER*                  	WG SWA 10 0CT 43 MUNSTER (Returned to States)

SGT WILLIAM DeBLASIO**                	TG CPT   MARCH 8, 1944  BERLIN  DFC w/OLC 

 

Crew arrived 100th Bomb Group September 28, 1943, assigned to 418th Squadron. Crew flew Rosie’s Riveters



*Both waist gunners Darling and Shaffer were seriously injured on the Munster mission, and each was awarded Silver Star & Purple Heart. Darling and Shaffer were replaced on the Rosenthal crew by Sgts James F. Mack and Marion J. Sheldon.

**Bill DeBlasio’s 2001 letter to Rosie with his account of Munster Mission is reprinted following Rosenthal’s 52-Mission List and Feb. 3, 1945, Berlin Mission (below)



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Lt Col Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) Timeline:



Jan. 2 - Sept. 6, 1942 Army Air Forces Flight School (AAFFS)

                                         Aviation Cadet: Pre-Flight, Maxwell Field, AL 

             March-May ’42  Pilot Training in PT-17 (60 hours), Primary Flying School, Douglas, GA

                May-July ’42   Pilot Training in BT-13 (71 hours), Basic Flying School-Shaw Field, SC

                 July-Sept.’42  Pilot Training in AT-6, 9 & 17 (71 hours) Advanced Flying School, Moody Field GA



Sept. 6, 1942-Feb.1, ‘43  Pilot, AT-6 Gunnery Instructor, AAB Ft Meyers, FL



Feb. 1 - May 1, 1943       Student Officer, B-17 Transition Training (140 hours) AAB Sebring, FL



May 1 - June 1, 1943       Pilot B-17 Combat Training (80 hours), 19th Bomb Group (H) Pyote, TX



June 1 - Aug. 15, 1943     Pilot B-17 Combat Training (160 hours) 19th Bomb Group (H) Dyersburg, TN 



Aug 15 - Sept 15, 1943    Pilot B-17, enroute to European Theater of Operations, USAAF 



Sept. 28, ’43- Mar. 5, ‘44 Pilot B-17, Flight Commander, 418th BS, 100th BG (H), 8AF (300 hours) 

                                                25 combat missions (240 combat hours): 15 Squadron Leads, 5 Element Leads

                                                and 5 13th Combat Wing Leads 



March 5- May 24, 1944    Assistant Group Operations Officer, HQ 100th BG (H) (Lt Col Jack Kidd,

                                                Operations Officer). Pilot B-17, Air Leader 5 combat missions (45 combat 

                                                hours), 5 Group Leads, Acting Command Pilot



May 24 – Sept. 11, 1944   Squadron CO 350th BS, 100th BG (H) (190 hours), B-17 Air Leader, 17 combat

                                                missions (120 combat hours), 5 Group Leads, Acting Command 5 Wing Leads



Sept. 11 – Nov. 1, 1944    Hospitalized at 91st General Hospital due to injuries sustained on Sept. 10, 1944,

                                                 mission to Nurnburg with Rosenthal as Command Pilot, crash landed in France

                                                 and sustained a broken arm and internal injuries 

Nov. 1 – Dec. 1, 1944       Combat Wing Training Officer, HQ 13th Combat Wing 8AF

                                                In charge of all 13th CW training programs



Dec 1, 1944-Feb 3, 1945   Squadron CO 418th BS, 100th BG (H) (55 hours), B-17 Air Leader 5 combat

                                                  missions (45 combat hours), 4 Wing Leads Acting Command, 1 Division Lead:

                                                  Berlin Feb 3, 1945, shot down, picked up by Russians and returned to England



Feb 3, 1945   BERLIN          MACR #12046          A/C #44 8379 

			Details follow Rosenthal Mission List (below)



Mar 28, 1945-May 28, 1945 HQ 100th BG (H) 8AF Group Training Officer. Set training policies for new

			 crews, very little operational duty. 



May 28, 1945-Jun 7, 1945     Returned to USA via aircraft, arrived on Jun 7, 1945. Stateside processing, leave

		                   and reassignment to B-29 training



Nov 30, 1945                         Honorably Discharged



RANK:

Sept 6, 1942	 Commissioned Aviation Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant

Sept 7, 1943	 Temp promotion 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant

Feb.11, 1944	 Temp promotion 1st Lieutenant to Captain

July 16, 1944	 Temp promotion from Captain to Major

Mar 21, 1945	 Temp promotion from Major to Lt Colonel



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LIST OF LT COL ROBERT ROSENTHAL'S 52 MISSIONS (mpf 2001 from Maj Rosenthal himself)



 1.   08/10/43 BREMEN

 2.   09/10/43 MARIENBURG

 3.   10/10/43 MUNSTER

 4. 03/11/43 WILHELMSHAVEN

 5. 07/11/43 DUREN

 6. 13/11/43 BREMEN

 7. 26/11/43 PARIS/BREMEN

 8. 29/11/43 BREMEN

 9. 30/11/43 SOLINGEN

10. 05/12/43 BORDEAUX

11. 24/12/43 NO-BALL

12. 31/12/43 PARIS

13. 21/01/44 NO-BALL

14. 30/01/44 BRUNSWICK

15. 03/02/44 WILHELMSHAVEN

16. 04/02/44 FRANKFURT

17. 05/02/44 VILLACOUBLAY

18. 10/02/44 BRUNSWICK

19. 20/02/44 SETTIN & POSEN

20. 21/02/44 ALHORN

21. 24/02/44 ROSTOCK

22. 25/02/44 REGENSBURG

23. 03/03/44 BERLIN

24.  04/03/44 BERLIN

25. 08/03/44 BERLIN

FINISHED TOUR WITH CREW

26. 25/04/44 DIJON

27. 07/05/44 BERLIN

28. 12/05/44 BRUX, CZECH

29. 19/05/44 BERLIN

30. 30/05/44 TROYES

31. 05/06/44 BOULOGNE

32. 06/06/44 FRENCH COAST-D-DAY

33. 15/06/44 WILSTER

34. 18/06/44 BRUNSBUTTELKOOG

35. 22/06/44 PARIS

36. 06/07/44 NO-BALL

37. 12/07/44 MUNICH

38. 14/07/44 MAQUIS SUPPLY DROP, SOUTHERN FRANCE

39. 18/07/44 KIEL

40. 25/07/44 ST LO, GROUND SUPPORT

41. 02/08/44 LaFERE

42. 05/08/44 MAGDEBURG

43. 13/08/44 NANTES

44. 15/08/44 VENLO

45. 25/08/44 POLITZ

46. 05/09/44 STUTTGART

47. 10/09/44 NURNBURG*

48. 18/12/44 MAINZ

49. 30/12/44 KASSEL

50. 07/01/45 COLOGNE

51. 17/01/45 HAMBURG

52. 03/02/45 BERLIN**



*Sept. 10, 1944 ROSENTHAL AS COMMAND PILOT CRASHED LANDED IN FRANCE. Rosenthal sustained a broken arm and other injuries, hospitalized. Upon his return to the 100th, he refused a ground job, and returned to Flight Operations.



LEAD CREW SEPTEMBER 10, 1944, NURNBURG  PFF A/C 42-97770

 

MAJ ROBERT ROSENTHAL         	    COMMAND PILOT

1ST LT WILLIAM F. TERMINELLO, JR      PILOT

1ST LT MELVIN KODAS                              FORMATION OFFICER/TAIL GUNNER

2ND LT STEWART J. GILLSON                   NAVIGATOR

CAPT. WOODROW W. MCGILL                  COMMAND NAVIGATOR

LT GREGORY MADDOX                              RADAR OPERATOR

2ND LT FRANK RUBICK                              BOMBARDIER

S/SGT RUSSELL L. HEGER                          TOP TURRET ENGINEER

S/SGT LOUIS QUIJADA                                RADIO OPERATOR GUNNER

SGT THOMAS A. PALMER                          WAIST GUNNER

SGT GEORGE J. HARTOS                            WAIST GUNNER   



**Feb 3, 1945   BERLIN          MACR #12046      A/C#44 8379

Rosenthal, mission Command Pilot, listed on John P. Ernst MACR (#12046) & Casualty Report 



MAJ ROBERT ROSENTHAL   COMMAND PILOT  Landed in Russian Lines

CAPT JOHN ERNST                  PILOT                        POW

1st LT ARTHUR JACOBSON   CP                               POW (from Crew of Lt. G. Brown)

1st LT STEWART GILLISON   COMMAND NAV    EVA (from Crew of Lt W. Terminello)

1st LT LOUIS C. CHAPPEL      NAVIGATOR           KIA (from Crew of Lt W.J. Wilson)

1st LT ROBERT H. STROPP     RADAR NAV           Landed in Russian Lines

1st LT EUGENE LOCKHART  BOMBARDIER         KIA (from the Crew of Lt Oren Hopkins)

T/SGT CHARLES WEBBER    RADIO OPERATOR Landed in Russian Lines 

T/SGT DUGGER C. WEST       TTURRET ENGINEER  POW

S/SGT WARREN WINTERS    WAIST GUNNER      POW

S/SGT GEORGE WINDISCH   TAIL GUNNER          Landed in Russian Lines



Ernst's leg amputated in German Hospital night of 3/2/45 & he was soon exchanged.



Feb. 3, 1945 BERLIN: Rosenthal and his crew bailed out after bombs away over Berlin. Rosenthal landed just east of the Oder River among Russian ground forces, and was transported to Moscow. Upon return to England in late March, he requested return to Flight Operations, but 100th BG Commander refused - Rosie had to quit at 52 missions.



EYEWITNESS REPORT from MACR #12046   "A/C #44 8379 was hit by flak, reported to be a ground 

rocket a few seconds before bombs away. A/C continued on run and dropped bombs.  Fire and dense white smoke were seen in the fuselage and bomb bay, including the cockpit.  Bomb bay doors closed and then reopened.  Pilot opened his window and peeled gently off to the right, directing deputy leader to take over on VHF.  A/C headed NE and flew level for a few moments while six members bailed out (3 appeared to come from waist or tail and 3 from bomb bay. There was a small explosion in #3 engine nacelle and the A/C headed down, burning and beginning to spin when last seen at 15,000 feet.  Observers believe entire crew had an excellent chance to bail out."



Account of Rosenthal’s return from Moscow to England:

On p.257 in the book B-17s Over Berlin by Ian Hawkins: Edward Pachnik, CP of 335th Squadron, 95thBG describes his mission to Cottbus on 15 Feb 1945. His A/C was damaged by flak over the target and they also flew west to the Russian lines and landed.  Eventually on the 25 Feb 45 the crew was flown to Moscow and that evening was hosted to a farewell dinner in a large banquet hall. About 11 PM they were escorted to the American Embassy and greeted by Averell Harriman, the American Ambassador. Then the next day they saw Rosenthal and I quote:

"The next day we met Robert 'Rosie' Rosenthal of the 'Bloody Hundredth' Bomb Group. His right arm was in a sling due to being fractured in his bail out while flying his last mission. Rosie had flown 50 missions with the 100th Bomb Group since arriving at Thorpe Abbotts in October 1943."

"The following day, our crew, with Rosie Rosenthal, travelled by train to Poltava where we were delayed about a week. From Poltava we flew in a C-46 transport plane to Iran, where we stopped overnight. Next morning, we flew to Cairo, Egypt. After three days in Cairo, we flew to El Adane, a British base, then to Athens, Greece; Naples, Italy, and Rome where we transferred into Winston Churchill's converted B-24 Liberator for the flight back to St Mawgan's, near Lands End in Southwest England. A US Navy DC-3 then flew us to Bovington Airfield. Here we were stranded until we found an abandoned B-17G parked out of sight in the back woods. Its serial number was 43-38346; we flew this airplane back to the 95th Bomb Group at Horham two days later."



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TG Bill DeBlasio’s account of October 10, 1943, MUNSTER Mission



The following letter sent to Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal on March 17, 2001 by Bill DeBlasio, tail gunner on Rosie’s original crew with his recollections of the MUNSTER mission October 10, 1943. 

100th BG Historian’s Note: Bill DeBlasio gave me a copy of this letter to Rosie and asked that his account of the Munster mission not be posted while he was still with us. Bill left us 8/12/2001, not long after sharing these memories. He was a humble man, not searching for medals or recognition, but wanted his family to know what hell he had seen from his tail gun position. He was simply doing his job that day protecting his fellow crewmembers and aircraft from the onslaught of German fighters. He did that job above and beyond the call of duty.  I thought it only appropriate that 60 years after that mission, his story be told. The nightmares are now over for Bill, and we wish him eternal rest and our sincere gratitude… Michael Faley-100th Bomb Group Photo Archivist and Historian

 

Rosie,

        I did the best I could considering this fading memory of mine.  Some parts of this mission stand out very clear to me, others such as where we were in the formation draw a blank.  I haven’t had a “flash back” for about 7 years now, maybe they are behind me. I certainly hope so.  They are a truly miserable 24 hours.  I’ll close for now; I hope this is what you want.  My family has been trying for years to get me to write about this.  I simply didn’t feel I could do it. 

           Bill



We arrived in England in September 1943 and were soon sent to the 100th Bomb Group, which was located near a small town named “Diss.”  We flew our 1st mission to Bremen, our second to Marienburg, our third to Munster on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of October 1943. The 100th Bomb Group launched 13 aircraft this day and I do not recall what position in the group formation we were assigned.  As yet, we were not assigned our own aircraft.  Therefore, we flew the one assigned to us, Royal Flush. If my memory serves me correctly, the briefing officer stated we were to bomb as much of the center of the city as possible.  The theory behind this was, if the civilians were killed who would man the equipment to help fight the war.  Seemed sound at the time.  

                                          Air Battle

The Group as a whole ran into considerable flak but the fighters were much more of a threat by far than the flak.  It has been said in numerous books that the Munster Mission was one of the hardest fought battles for both sides of the entire war and I for one am inclined to agree!  Twelve of the Groups aircraft were shot down either before bombs away or shortly thereafter, leaving the Royal Flush all by herself.  I believe at one time we tried to attach ourselves to the 95th Bomb Group for protection, however this did not last for long.  Flak had knocked out one of the left engines as well as one on the right wing making it impossible to keep up with any formation.



Once we were completely alone the fighters really started their attacks. I think at this time I should say what follows are through the tail gunner’s eyes as I was far too busy to look around.  The fighters were very well coordinated and were coming in waves of four abreast.  They were not firing until approximately 800 yards and neither was I.  I lined up on the number two man from my left and fired three short bursts. His left wing flew off over his plane and crashed into the plane to the outside.  Both went down on fire.  I then switched to their inside plane on the right and fired at him.  Smoke started coming from the plane and the canopy came off, the plane rolled over ejecting the pilot.  I couldn’t follow his plight as I had one more plane to deal with.  Just as I brought my sights to bear on him, he peeled off to his left (my right).



There was a period of about a 4 or 5 minute respite, then they started again. I believe we may have been about 15 thousand feet as two Ju-88’s joined the fray, with two engines out, there was no way we could maintain high altitude. Again, there were 4 FW 190’s, only this time they were staggered more or less one behind the other, not in a straight line as were the first bunch. This time however the two Ju-88s were on each end of the 4 fighters making six aircraft lined up on us. For some unknown reason, I decided to try for the bigger aircraft first.  I thought I noticed something hanging from the bottom of their aircraft.  About that time, here come the rockets.  A total of 8 rockets come at us in about 1 minute of time, all missed.  It dawned on me that what I saw beneath the aircraft were their flaps. They needed to lower their flaps to give them a more stable platform for their rockets.   



I started firing at the Ju-88 on the left and soon he was on fire and sliding off on his right wing.  The other aircraft had closed to within 600 yds and I just started raking my fire from left to right and back again.  During this exchange two of the FW-190’s in the center crashed into each other, as I believe I hit them both at the same time. So, we have a total of six planes shot down and we don’t know how many, if any, were damaged.  About this time, I believe you ordered me to fire off my remaining ammo and come out of the tail position.  At this time, we were below 10,000 ft and did not know if we were going to ditch or not.  We began throwing anything that wasn’t nailed down out to lighten the aircraft.  We were successful and didn’t ditch.  



After searching in bad weather conditions for our field, we finally found it and landed safely.  I remember sitting on the grass and vomiting for what seemed like an eternity.  I was asked to secure my guns, which I did.  I do not recall whether any of us put in claims for downed aircraft, as this was superficial compared to losing the entire Group except one plane.  Besides, it wouldn’t have done any good as we all knew any aircraft shot down had to be verified by at least one or two aircraft other than your own.  I remember you going in the ambulance with John Shaffer (waist gunner). A few days later we were sent to the flak house for R&R.  What an absolutely lovely house and grounds and the locals could not have done more to make our stay more pleasant.

              Bill   

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Excerpts From Diary of S/Sgt Jim Mack for missions flown with Rosenthal:



Oct 10, 1943 MUNSTER! Rosenthal returns alone. Luck was really with them. Every other ship shot down.

                                [Mack joins Rosenthal crew as replacement waist gunner following Munster]  



Nov 3, 1943 Wilhelmshaven, Ger. 6:55 to 12:55. Heavy flak. First mission since Munster.  Plenty scared



Nov 7, 1943 Duren, Germany, Little Flak , 48 degrees below zero



Nov 12, 1943 Practice Mission over North Atlantic



Nov 13, 1943 Bremen, Germany. Got this book today, just got back from mission to Bremen. Group behind us

                                  caught hell from fighters flak very heavy and accurate.



Nov 26, 1943 Paris, France.  Very little flak, clouds over target.



Nov 29, 1943 Bremen, Ger. (second time) 7:45am-4:47pm.  No ships lost.



Nov 30, 1943 Solingen, Ger. 8:15am-2:30pm  -60 degrees. Oxygen system froze. Mike and Junior passed out.



Dec 5, 1943 Bordeaux, France. 10 hrs in the air.



Dec 24, 1943 NO-BALL flew a new ship (504).  Bombed the secret coast (rocket planes)



Dec 31, 1943 Paris, France.  Ship hit with flak, bombed airfield 



Jan 21, 1944 NO-BALL Rocket coast again, 12:05-15:10. heavy flak, hit four times. We got prepared for crash

                                    landing came in O.K. thank God.



Jan 30, 1944 Brunswick, Ger. Bombed through clouds, 4:30am-3:00pm



Feb 3, 1944 Wilhelmshaven, Ger. Accurate flak.  We did violent evasive action 7:35am-2:30pm



Feb 4, 1944 Frankfurt, Ger. 8:05am-3:45pm We had flak from the coast into target. Very nerve wracking. 

                                      Crossed Ruhr Valley, 3 holes in ship. 2 ships fell out of formation and were shot down

                                      by FW 190's.



Feb 5, 1944 Paris, France.  Airport, hit the target 



Feb 10, 1944 Brunswick, Ger. 6:45-4:10. Heavy Fighter opposition 30 FW's, 20 JU88's. 2 Forts blew up when

                                      hit. Saw 15 forts go down.



Feb 20, 1944 Stettin & Posen



Feb 21, 1944 Brunswick & Alhorn Ger. 9:35-3:30. Good fighter support. Lost a fort over Holland.



Feb 24, 1944 Rostock, Aircraft factory in Poland 8:00-7:30. very tired when I got back. Attacked by 6 Ju88's



Feb 25, 1944 Regensburg, Ger. 8:15-6:15 demolished target (aircraft factory) saw the Alps & Danube River. 

                                      (pretty country) lost 3 forts, 12 F.W.



Feb 26, 1944  Note: of the 15 gunners that came to the 100th BG, only 3 of us are left. Charles Mabey

                                      (finished up), Bill McClelland (wounded) and me still hanging around. Of the 85 of us

                                      to come over, there are now 15 left. 6 have finished. I'm still sweating them out. 7 more

                                      missions left to make.



Mar 3, 1944 Target: BERLIN  When I saw the target on the map my morale hit a new low. We were called

                                      back when within 40 miles of Berlin. 2 forts collided & blew up at 27,000 feet.



Mar 4, 1944 BERLIN again.  I really sweat this one out. We were recalled when we got over France (whew)



Mar 8, 1944 BERLIN, 11hrs in the air. This time we made it. Flak terrible, the fighters hit us after we left

                                      Holland. It was a very rough trip, our ship shot down 3 fighters that were making an

                                      attack. It was the last mission for my Crew [Rosenthal] and when we landed there was

                                      much rejoicing. We "Buzzed" the field twice at tree top level.



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Question (received 7/3/2002): what is DATE of Rosenthal Mission written about in “Stars and Stripes” in July 1944?

Answer from Mike Faley, 100th BG Historian: “Based on the 357th Fighter Group info and Rosie's own list of Missions, I would have to say the Berlin mission on May 7, 1944 is the date this took place.  Those two items are overwhelming without actual loading list information to the contrary.”



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Robert Rosenthal is the best known of the 100th veterans and one of the better-known airmen in WWII. Fresh out of law school he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, December 8th, 1941. Progressed rapidly through the Army Aviation pipe line and joined the 100th as a 1st pilot September 26, 1943, coming at the onset of some of the 100th BG’s more famous missions. "Rosie", as he is known to all 100th veterans, flew his first combat mission on October 8, 1943, trip to Bremen. The 100th lost seven B-17s including the 351st's Thomas Murphy in the famed Piccadilly Lily. On October 9, 1943, the 100th went on the long mission to Marienburg and returned with no losses.



On the 10th of October, 1943, "Rosie" and the 100th went to Munster. Only the B-17 Royal Flush with Rosenthal and his crew returned to Thorpe Abbotts. This mission as much as any other established the character of the 100th. There is a charismatic quality, earned many times over, about the 100th. No other Group is remembered with the reverence commonly accorded them.  Robert Rosenthal, the 100th's beloved Rosie, earned a large part of this reverence. A painting of the Royal Flush coming home is displayed at the American Military Cemetery, Cambridge, England.  Pw



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ROSENTHAL OBITUARY April 20, 2007

Robert (Bob) "Rosie" Rosenthal    

ROSENTHAL--Robert (Bob), beloved husband of Phillis (Heller), devoted father of Peggy, Steven (Barbara), and Dan (Paula), loving grandfather of Joshua (Julie), Katie, Joanna, and Sam, adoring great-grandfather of Alexi and Madeleine. A retired lawyer and highly decorated WWII B-17 pilot. Died April 20, 2007. Services 2PM Thursday at Community Synagogue of Rye. Interment Sharon Gardens Cemetery, Valhalla, NY. Donations may be made to UJA or White Plains Hospital. 

Published in the New York Times on 4/25/2007



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MEMO 2:

AWARDS

Distinguished Service Cross (for Feb 3, 1945 Berlin Mission)



Silver Star (Munster, Oct 10, 1943) with Cluster (Oct 3, 1943-Sept 10, 1944),  



Distinguished Flying Cross (Completion of 25 missions on March 8, 1944-Berlin) with Cluster (July 12, 1944 Munich/Aug 5, 1944 Magdeburg )



Purple Heart with cluster (Sept 10, 1944 Nurnburg and Feb 3, 1945 Berlin – Rosenthal broke the same arm on both occasions, plus internal injuries on Nurnburg mission.



Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters clusters



Distinguished Flying Cross (British)



Croix de Guerre (French).  



ETO Ribbon with 4 Battle Stars (Air Offensive Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland)

Presidential Unit Citation 

Authorized to wear 3 overseas service bars, having served 21 months overseas (each bar represents 6 months of overseas service)



COMMANDER 350TH & 418TH BS (MEDAL CITATIONS)



Lt Col Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal’s Awards Citations:



Distinguished Service Cross:  24 May 1945

“For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy on 3 February 1945 while serving as Air commander of a Heavy Bombardment Divisions formation attacking the Templehof Marshalling Yards, Berlin, Germany.  On this date, while on the bombing run, his aircraft suffered a direct hit by enemy-aircraft fire which inflicted severe damage on the plane and started and intense fire in the bomb bays.  Completely disregarding his personal safety and in spite of the imminent danger of explosion, he continued to lead his formation over the target.  The extraordinary heroism, skillful airmanship, and intense determination to complete his assigned mission displayed by Lt. Col. Rosenthal on this occasion are in keeping with the highest tradition of the Armed Forces of the United States. 



Silver Star:  3 January 1944

Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 1 (1944)

First Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army.  For gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany 10 October 1943.  Prior to reaching the objective, one engine of his aircraft was knocked out and other serious damage sustained during vicious assaults by enemy fighters.  Thought subjected to constant attack and intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Rosenthal continued on to the target and bombed and bombed it successfully. When unable to remain with the formation on leaving the target area, his aircraft became the object of concentrated attacks by enemy planes.  Another engine was knocked out, the oxygen system almost completely destroyed, the wing badly damaged and two gunner seriously wounded. Maneuvering his crippled aircraft with great skill, Lieutenant Rosenthal fought his way back to England and made a safe landing.  The gallantry, tenacity of purpose and flying skill displayed by Lieutenant Rosenthal on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.  



Silver Star, Oak Leaf Cluster: 16 November 1944

Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 520 (1944)

For gallantry in action while piloting heavy bombers over enemy territory from 3 October 1943 to 10 September 1944.  As, Combat Pilot and later at various times, Lead Pilot for his Squadron, Group and Combat Wing.  Major Rosenthal completed an unusually large number of hazardous missions.  On 10 September 1944, while over Germany enemy ground fire knocked out two engines and heavily damaged his aircraft.  Alone and unescorted, he skillfully maneuvered his battered plane back to friendly territory, where he made a successful crash landing.  In the face of determined opposition, Major Rosenthal’s complete disregard for personnel safety, devotion to duty and combat skill have been a constant source of inspiration to all flying with him. 





Distinguished Flying Cross: 9 March 1944

For extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of a B-17 airplane on Twenty-five heavy bombardment missions over enemy occupied Europe. Through the skillful handling of his aircraft in aerial combat.  Captain Rosenthal has materially, aided in the success of each of these twenty-five missions, among which were the operations over Brunswick, Germany 21 Feb 1944, Regensburg, Germany 25 Feb 1944, and Berlin, Germany 8 Mar 1944.  The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Capt Rosenthal on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. 



Distinguished Flying Cross, Oak Leaf Cluster:  29 Sept. 1944

For extraordinary achievement while serving as commander in the air of group and wing formation on heavy bombardment missions against the enemy.  In surmounting the obstacles of intense anti-aircraft fire on both occasions Major Rosenthal demonstrated outstanding airmanship in commanding his formation on successful attacks against Munich 12 July 1944 and Magdeburg, Germany, 5 August 1944.  Major Rosenthal’s forceful leadership and flying ability materially aided in the successful completion of these important missions.  His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed forces of the United States.  



Purple Heart: 1 Oct. 1944

For wounds received in Action in ETO on 10 September 1944



Purple Heart, Oak Leaf Cluster:  15 Mar 1945

For wounds received in Action in ETO on 3 Feb 1945 



Air Medal: 27 November 1943



Under the provisions of Army Regulation 600-45, 8 August 1932, as amended and pursuant to authority contained in Section I, Circular 36 HQ ETOUSA, 5 April 1943, and teletype S1632C HQ VIII Bomber Command, 26 September 1943, the Air Medal is awarded to the following-named officer. 

Citation:  For exceptionally meritorious achievement, while participating in five separate bomber combat missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this officer upon these occasions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. 

Robert (NMI) Rosenthal, 0-792349, 1st Lieutenant, 100th Bombardment Group (H), Army Air Forces, United States Army.   



Air Medal Oak Leaf Clusters



23 December 1943 for 5 missions

21 February 1944 for 5 missions

28 February 1944 for 5 missions

14 June1944 for 5 missions

20 July 1944 for 5 missions

21 August 1944 for 5 missions

  3 January 1945 for 5 missions



French Croix de Guerre: 29 January 1945

                Campaigns for the Liberation of France 

                        (June-December 1944)

                         Cecison No 341



The General De Gaulle, President of the Provisional Government of the France 

Cite a l’Ordre DU CORPS D’ARMEE: Maj Robert Rosenthal 0792349 3d Bomb Div

Pour services exceptionnels de Guerre rendus au cours des operations de Liberations de la France”



Cette Citation comporte l’attribution de la Croix de Guerre avec Etiolie de Vermeil

Paris, le 29 Janvier 1945 

Signe: de GAULLE





British Distinguished Flying Cross:  16 April 1946



Subject: British Decoration

To:       Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rosenthal



1. The War Department is in receipt of confirmation of the award to you of the Distinguished Flying Cross by the British Government. 

2. Acceptance of this award has been approved and the approval made a matter of record in the War Department.  

3. This Office has been informed that the British authorities are making arrangement for all decorations which were not presented in the field to be presented at a future date in an official and ceremonial manner.  You will be informed of the date and place of the ceremony. 



                                         BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:  



                                                                      A.L. Hilliard

                                                                   Adjutant General