He was told to go back home and when he was
called to duty it would be in the Air Force.
This came to be and he was qualified a Radio-,
Radar operator and Gunner. Was on base in
England for quite a while. When a call came
needing his expertise, Bobby volunteered for
duty on the B 17 Adrian's father was serving on
(see below).
To understand the quality of this young man may
I tell you of his Heroism? While waiting to be
drafted he was employed at a Yacht Club to teach
the young what was involved in sailing "Star
Sail-boats" While instructing a young lady a
sudden violent Thunder storm came upon them
before they could return to shore and safety.
The small sail boat tipped over from the fearful
wind. They were thrown into the water. Bobby
got hold of the young lady and with the same
hand kept hold of the ropes of the sail boat.
He somehow got to a channel marker buoy, put the
young lady on top of the buoy and then tied the
ropes holding the overturned boat also to the
buoy. He remained in the water holding on until
the Boat Club located them. Bobby was honored a
Hero. I will never stop missing my wonderful,
hero brother Bobby."
Robert enlisted
on 3 July 1942. Like his sister Delores
writes, he became the Radio Operator of a B17 with the 100th Bomb
Group, operating out of Thorpe Abbotts.
On February 4,
1944, S/Sgt Valentik and his crew took off for their
15th mission. Target was Frankfurt, Germany. The
crew consisted of:
1Lt William E.
Green, pilot
2Lt Jack P. Jensen, co-pilot
2Lt John J. Joyce, Navigator
2Lt John S. Hamilton, Bombardier
S/Sgt Robert W. Valentik, Radio Operator Gunner
S/Sgt Roman E. Beran, Top Turet Gunner Engineer
S/Sgt Richard K. Anderegg, Ball Turret Gunner
S/Sgt Sanford Tisdale, Waist Gunner
S/Sgt Harry J. Waskewicz, Waist Gunner
S/Sgt Leroy E. Leist, tail Gunner
CAUGHT IN
THE DRAFT - Picture
taken at Dalhart, Texas prior to October 1943.
(Kneeling l to r): William Green (P), Jack
Jensen (CP), Jack Hamilton (BOM), John Joyce (NAV).
(Standing l to r): Roman Beran (TTE), Richard
Anderegg (BTG), Robert Valentik (ROG), Sanford
Tisdale (RWG), Unknown, Leroy Leist (TG).
(picture courtesy 100th BG assoc.)
S/Sgt Tom
Sasser was the Original ROG on this crew but was
replaced on the Feb 4, 1944 mission by S/Sgt
Robert Valentik.
Their plane was
hit by flak and damaged on the flight. Later,
the formation was attacked by German Me109's and
Fw190's.The Missing Aircrew Report mentions:
"This A/C, in 3rd element of the high squadron,
pulled out of formation at 1352 hours and headed
for the undercast. It was smoking but appeared
under control. No chutes were seen."
22 year old Lt.
William Green tried to dive through the
undercast for cover. However, Erich Scheyda of
JG 26 followed the plane down and gave it the
final blow.
The bodies of
Harry Waskewicz, John Hamilton and Richard
Anderegg were recovered near Ouddorp, Holland on
6 February 1944. They were buried on 7 February
1944 in Ouddorp Communal Cemetery.
The body of John Joyce was recovered near
Ellemeet, Holland on 5 April 1944 and was buried
on 18 April 1944 in Haamstede Cemetery, near
Ellemeet.
S/Sgt Robert P. Valentik
is mentioned on the Margraten Wall of the
Missing.
Note: Efforts
are on the way to locate the B17
of Lt. Green and his crew.
Staff
Sergeant