Pfc.
Robert E. Black
Reliance, Lyman County, South
Dakota
Killed in action in combat over
Germany
05 Mar 1924 - 16 Apr 1945
PFC. Robert E. Black was born on March 5, 1924, to Mr. And Mrs.
Ed Black of Reliance, South
Dakota at their farm home northeast of Reliance. He died in combat
over Germany
on March 24, 1945 at the age of 21.
He was awarded the Purple Heart for the service to his
country.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army 16 April, 1943, with the
17th Airborne Division,
taking his basic training
at Camp Mackall where he spent
six months before being given furlough.
After his furlough, he was transferred
to Camp Forrest, Tennessee on maneuvers.
In
April of 1944, he was given
another furlough,
which he spent with his parents. In. August, 1944, he was sent overseas for combat duty. He
trained in England and his
division then went into action
against the enemy December 24,
1944.
Bob
was a truck driver in the first platoon
and on the day of his death, was
taking part in an airborne invasion
of Germany. It was
reported that as he was coming over
the landing zone, his glider was struck by flak and he crashed
into the woods. His body
was recovered immediately and prepared for
burial in the American
Cemetery in Margaten, Holland.
Bob
was a loveable son and brother,
happy by nature and never complained
about the hardships he had
to endure, Bob also said, " It could
have been worse. "
This
entry is respectfully submitted by Donnie Hamiel and Kyle Willis, juniors at Lyman
High school in Presho, South Dakota, April I, 2002.
Information for this
entry was sent by Barbara Speck, niece of Pvt. Black..
See letter from one of Bob's fellow soldiers.