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ROBERT BURNS

Louisville, KY

2nd Lt. Robert "Bob" Burns was a fighter pilot with the 325th Fighter Wing, 318th Fighter Squadron, located in Miramare, Italy at the Rimini Airdrom.
March 14, 1945 the 318th was involed in a big air battle over Germany. Flying escort duty for B-17's.
Heading back to base; the squadron leader 1st Lt. Gordon McDaniel saw a flight of Germany Fw-190's below his group of P-51 Mustangs. He ordered his group to drop in behind them to make sure he wasn't attacking a Russian group in the area.He ordered the guys to drop tanks.The fight was on! But there was a problem' Only 2 P-51s started the attack #40 Lt. McDaniel "MARY MAC" and #63 Lt. Burns "JAN's LITTLE JOE" Out numbered by the Jerrys 3 to 1 Lt. McDaniel scored 5 victories and Lt. Burns one . McDaniel made ace in one day; and who was his wing man 2nd Lt. Bob Burns of Louisville KY. That day the 318th scored 18 victories.
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Read the stories submitted by our visitors below. One of them will be selected at random in January 2010 and given a place of honor in the exhibit.

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William Brunsman

Volunteered from his home town of Connersville, IN and sworn in at Indianapolis, IN, April 3, 1941. After basic, served on... read more

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Joseph A. Kirby

In February 1944 I turned 18 and joined the Marine Corps and was on my way to Parris Island, S.C. for boot training. Next ... read more

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Joseph A. Kirby

Part Two... At night we would scrape out slits in the ground and stack rocks around us. There were two men to a hole. One... read more

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Russell L. (Bob) Hulsey

On August 6, 1940, my dad, R.L. Hulsey, joined the army. At the age of 19 he became the youngest Staff Sgt in the U.S. Ar... read more

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ROBERT BURNS

2nd Lt. Robert "Bob" Burns was a fighter pilot with the 325th Fighter Wing, 318th Fighter Squadron, located in Miramare, I... read more