In Memory
Robert E. Hannan, Jr
Oct 1, 1920 - Oct 12, 1943
A crippled bomber, on which Technical Sergeant Robert E. Hannan, Jr., 23, reported by the department as missing in action in the New Guinea area since Oct. 12, was crew member, was last seen heading for an emergency landing in the Pacific ocean.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Hannan, 1629 East Ewing Avenue, who said today that they had received from a friend of their son an account of the last mission of the bomber on which Robert was serving, expressed the hope that the South Bend army air forces member might have escaped by life raft from the disabled plane and made his way to a near-by jungle covered island.
In a letter from Staff Sgt. J. C. Lewis, their son's friend, Mr. and Mts. Hannan gleaned that Sgt. Hannan was taking part in a raid over Rabaul when his ship was struck by antiaircraft fire. The letter mentioned only "a big raid," but one on Rabaul took place on that date, the parents said.
Sgt. Lewis wrote that his buddy was in one of the last two planes, which were flying side by side, to go over the target. With a motor damaged and an aileron destroyed, the disabled bomber was last seen striking the surface of the water, all of its guns still firing at four Zeros following its plunge into the ocean, said Sgt. Lewis, who added that he, as a tailgunner on a bomber, had destroyed Zero during the action over. the target. Sgt. Hannan, inducted into the, army in July, 1942, left the United States for overseas duty June.
He was born in Alliance, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1920, and was brought by, his parents to South Bend. two years later. He was graduated from Riley High school in 1938, took a postgraduate course at South Bend Catholic High school and was employed by the Studebaker corporation at the time of his induction.
He has four sisters, Jane Frances, Ruth and Kathryn, all at home, and Mrs. W.B. Middendorf, Miami, Fla
Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com
08/12/2025 EJS
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