World War II Flight Training Museum and
63rd AAF Flying Training Detachment

Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal

(June 11, 1917 - April 20, 2007)

He was at Douglas between March and May of 1942. He was probably in the Class 1942H, but this is not for certain.

Serial Number O-792349

In December 1941, Robert Rosenthal was working as a lawyer in New York City after having graduated from Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Law School.  He enlisted in the US Army on December 8, 1941.

He entered pre-flight training at Maxwell Field, AL on January 2, 1942.  Upon completion in March 1942 he entered Primary Flight Training with the 63rd FTD at Douglas, GA.  From May to July he was in Basic Flight Training at Shaw Field, SC.  He took Advanced Pilot Training at Moody Field, GA until September 1942.

From September 6, 1942 until February 1, 1943 he was a pilot and AT-6 gunnery instructor at Army Air Force Base Fort Myers, Florida.  From February 1st to May 1st he was at AAFB, Sebring, Florida as a student officer transition training in B-17s, 140 hours.  From May 1st to June 1st he was in the 19th Bomb Group, at Pyote, Texas for Pilot B-17 combat training, 80 hours.  From June 1st on he was at Dyersburg, TN for more B-17 combat training, 160 hours.

On September 1, 1943 he flew from the U.S. to England, arriving on September 6th.  He was attached to the 418th Squadron of the 100th Bombardment Group, stationed at Thorpe Abbotts in England.

He flew his first combat mission August 10, 1943 to Bremen.  His third mission was to Munster on October 10th.   His was the only B-17, out of 13, to return from that mission.  He limped home on two engines with a ragged hole in the right wing.

In September 1944 his plane was shot down and broke his arm and nose.  He was rescued by the Free French and returned to duty.

After 25 missions he and his crew were entitled to go back to the U.S. and would be out of combat for the duration of the war.  Rosenthal volunteered to fly more missions.

On his 52nd mission, his last, he led a mission to bomb Berlin.  Although his B-17 was in flames from a direct hit, he continued to the target to drop his bombs.  He then stayed with the plane until after the rest of the crew had bailed out, and only then did he bail out. He was recovered by the Russians just outside of Berlin.  He made his way back to England by way of Poland, Moscow, Kiev, Tehran, Cairo, Greece and Naples.

The following is from the MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) # 12046: "A/C #44-8379 was hit by flak, reported to be a ground rocket a few seconds before bombs away. A/C continued on run and dropped bombs. Fire and dense white smoke was seen in the fuselage and bomb bay, including the cockpit. Bomb bay doors closed and then reopened. Pilot opened his window and peeled gently off to the right, directing deputy leader to take over on VHF. A/C headed NE and flew level for a few moments while six members bailed out (3 appeared to come from waist or tail and 3 from bomb bay). There was a small explosion in #3 engine nacelle and the A/C headed down, burning and beginning to spin when last seen at 15,000 feet. Observers believe entire crew had an excellent chance to bail out."

Rosenthal received the following promotions:
September 6, 1942 - 2nd Lieutenant
September 7, 1943 - 1st Lieutenant
February 11, 1944 - Captain
March 21, 1945 - Major

Rosenthal received the following citations:
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross (British)
Croix de Guerre (French)
ETO ribbon with 4 battle stars
Presidential Unit Citation

After the war Rosenthal served as an assistant prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials. In 2006 he was inducted into the Jewish-American Hall of Fame.   At the time of his death he lived in Harrison, New York.

References: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Rosenthal_(USAF_officer) ]

[https://100thbg.com/index.php?option=com_bombgrp&view=personnel&id=4475&Itemid=334]

New York Times, obituary, April 29, 2007, “Robert Rosenthal, Leader in Bombing Raids and Lawyer at Nuremberg, Dies at 89.”