Second Lieutenant Robert Fredrick Brooks was born on 9 October 1921, the only child of R.F. Brooks and Minnie Dowis Rains Brooks. His parents filed for divorce in 1937. Robert was a member of Deaderick Avenue Baptist Church, a graduate of Knoxville High School and a member of S.A.E. Fraternity of the University where he was a student when he entered the service in 1942. He was formerly employed with Shriver Bros. and the T.V.A.
He entered the service on 18 July 1942 at Knoxville with Army serial number 14132169. He died with Army serial number O-717741. He was killed in action on 21 November 1944. He was a bombardier on A/C 42-95180, nicknamed “Satan’s Little Sister II”.
On 21 November 1944, the American B-24 H 42-95180 had departed from Bungay, England targeting Hamburg. The aircraft was hit by flak under the left wing, motor no. 1 and 2 out. On the return to England, it turned south to try to reach liberated south-Netherlands. Their fuel ran out, and the pilot let the crew jump on the southern coastline of Lake IJsselmeer, but wind blew seven parachutes into the water. Only the two pilots landed on the dike. The other seven drowned. Brooks’ body washed up near Spakenburg 6 February 1945. He is buried at the Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville, Knox County, TN.
For further information, see https://www.zzairwar.nl/dossiers/341.html
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 9 October 1921
- Date of death: 21 November 1944
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 446th Bomber Group, 706th Bomber Squadron
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Bottom Panel
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