Robert F. Gunson was born in Pennsyvania in 1920 to Thomas and Margaret Gunson. The family moved to New Jersey shortly after his birth, and by 1930 lived at 332 North 26th Street in Camden, New Jersey, where Thomas Gunson worked as an elevator constructor.

Besides Robert, there were brothers John, Thomas J., Richard, Phillip, and sisters Marjorie M. and Elizabeth. He attended Camden Catholic High School. After leaving school, he worked at the RCA-Victor factory in Camden. He had married, and a son, James, was born about 1940. Robert, Sarah, and James Gunson lived at 2903 Pleasant Street in Camden.
 

365th Bomb Squadron

305th Bomb Group
 

Robert Gunson was called to service in August of 1942. He qualified for flight duty, and was promoted to Sergeant at Boise, ID in October of 1942. He was last home in April 1943 for three days before going overseas on May 5, 1943. Robert was posted to the 364th Bomb Squadron of the 305th Bomb Group, operating out of Chelveston.

On June 2 Robert transferred to the 365th BS from 364th BS. On the 11th of June Robert flew his first mission. This was with the crew of Lt. Cunningham. The target was Wilhelmshaven.

Two days later, on the 13th, he flew his second mission, again with Lt. Cunningham, to Bremen. Both these missions were flown in the well known aircraft, nicknamed WHAM BAM.

The next day, on June 14, Robert was taken to Diddington Hospital and was also reduced in rank from S/Sgt to Private for an unknown reason. He was released from hospital on the 19th.

Robert was lost on June 22, 1943, on his third mission. The 305th Bomb Group participated in a mission to a synthetic rubber plant in Hüls, in the German Ruhr area. Robert was the ball turret gunner in B-17 41-24533, nicknamed BOOM TOWN. This day he flew with the crew of Lt. John Hall. The rest of the crew was:

Pilot - Lt.  John J Hall
Co-Pilot - Lt. Arnold F Grose
Navigator - Lt. Walter E Allen
Bombardier - Lt. James P Mause
Radio Operator - Sgt. Leroy H Kanetzky
Top Turret - Sgt. Jasper S Doster
Ball Turret - Pvt. Robert F Gunson
Tail Gunner - Sgt. Dennis D Jackson
LWG - Sgt. W C. Morris
RWG - Sgt. Willard M Parker

It seems BOOMTOWN was hit by flak about 9:25 en route to target, at 24000 feet.  It was on fire in the right wing area, after which it went into a Flat Spin. Shortly after the right wing exploded. The #2 engine was also on fire. At least one plane saw a chute come out of the stricken plane.

The plane crashed near Valburg in The Netherlands. Four of the crew were killed, the other six were taken PoW. Pilot John J. Hall, Navigator Walter E. Allen, Bombardier James P. Mause, Engineer Jasper S. Doster, and Left Waist gunner W.C. Morris all survived. It was the only loss of the 305th that day. This same day Robert was promoted again to the rank of Sergeant.

Robert was survived by his wife and father, who by this time had relocated to Pleasantville NJ, and two brothers, both serving at the time. His death was reported in the October 11, 1943 edition of the Camden Courier-Post.

This newspaper article appeared in the Camden Courier Post. Courtesy of Phil Cohen of the
Camden County War Index Website.

Sgt Robert Gunson is buried at Margraten American Military Cemetery, Plot I Row 21 Grave 5.

Margraten, The Netherlands

See Also:
Lt Arnold F Grose
Sgt Leroy H Kanetzky
Sgt Dennis D Jackson
Sgt Willard M Parker

Sources:
Phil Cohen of the Camden County War Index Website.
Roger A. Freeman, The Mighty Eight War Diary, Arms and Armour, London, 1990

Acknowledgments:
Mr. Chris Coffman


Directions to Margraten American Military Cemetery

Posted 25 October 2005
Updated 17 March 2006

If you have any suggestions, comments or additional information, please contact me.

This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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