Lt. R.E. Daw

Lt. Robert Ernest "June" Daw, Jr., son of Robert Ernest Daw, Sr. and Christine Irish Daw. He graduated from Joaquin High School in 1939 as valedictorian of his class. He attended Texas A&M before joining the Army Air Corp in 1942. He was a pilot of a P-47 and was supporting American ground forces in the Battle of the Bulge strafing German tanks when his plane was hit. According to information received from his commanding officer, the weather was so bad that the only pilots flying were volunteers. Lt. Daw radioed he was landing in a snow covered field approximately one mile behind German lines. The American forces reached his plane within one hour and found his plane intact with no sign or indication of injury to the pilot. However, a month latter, he was declared "Killed in Action" and buried in the American Cemetery in Luxembourg. His body was returned home later and buried in the Joaquin Cemetery.

My name is Roger Feller from the 385th BG Museum at Perlé Luxembourg. I'm searching for all the crash sites during WWII in Luxembourg. Until today I located 242. A few weeks ago I got a picture of a P-47 who crashed at Benonchamps on the Belgium border. I was able to identify the pilot by the serial number of the plane. Now I would like to get in contact with relatives of this pilot to give them information if they want. In my home town crashed 3 B-17 2 of the 385th BG and one of the 100 Bg. A new museum in honor for 19 young American will be inaugurated on 25 and 26 th of May. A memorial for has already been dedicated to them . We never forget what you American did for us. Thank you very much for 56 years freedom. Best regards Roger Feller 22 rue de l'Ermitage L-8833 Wolwelange Luxembourg - PS If you want more information please let me know

My name is Roger Feller and I'm from Luxembourg. I located the crash site of Lt. Robert Ernest plane. He was hit near Bastogne (Belgium) on 30 th of December 1944 during the battle of the bulge. The plane "SPUNKY" crashed on the Luxembourgish Belgium frontier in near a small town named Benonchamps. We have a picture of the plane after the crash if you are interested in please let me know and I will send a copy to you. As you know Luxembourg is very small and to tell you I found until today 242 crash sites of WWII. We never forget what you American did for us. I will now get in contact with the American Embassy in Bruxelles to get maybe a souvenir plaque for this man. If I can help you with more information please let me know. When the weather will be better we go to the crash site and maybe find some parts of the plane. We are doing this to honor all the heroes of WWII. We never can do for you what you did for us and we never forget. We would like to stay in contact with you. Sorry for my home made English. Best regards

Thank you so much for your help. I try to send you the picture of Lt. Daw's plane.   If it doesn't works please let me know and I will send you a copy of the original picture. Also will send you a map of the location where the plane crashed.The plane was in very good condition after landing so we are not sure that LT. Daw was killed in the crash. In this area were SS troupes and we try to find out if he was killed by this fanatic troop. He was hit after attacking tanks . The crash site is located on the Luxemgourgish Belgium frontier near a small town named Benonchamps. We are going to the crash site when the weather will be better and if we find parts of the plane I will send a part to you. Some information:
                        2nd Lt. Robert Ernest Daw
                        N° 0829827 P-47 N° 42-75393
                       " SPUNKY" 362FG 377 Sqrn
                         crashed 30th December 1944
                         during the battle of the bulge (Bastogne)