Robert E. McClure, War Casualty, 1942

The first serviceman reported missing, connected with Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], is Corp. Robert Elzie McClure, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar D. McClure, of Windsor, R.D.1 [Broome Co., NY].  Corp. McClure was employed at the American Separator Co., Bainbridge, last Summer until his enlistment in the Air Corps.  He was a flight engineer in a B-17 bomber in the Battle of Midway, and after an Aug. 11 air engagement he was reported missing.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 20, 1942]

Windsor Man Listed as Dead

Binghamton Press, Jan. 28, 1946

 

Robert E. McClure

 

Pvt. Robert E. McClure of Windsor [Broome Co., NY], missing since a B-17 raid on Rabaul, New Britain, more than three years ago, has been listed as dead by the War Department.  The soldier's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar D. McClure of Windsor, R.D.1, have received a communication from the War Department, explaining how their son met his death.  It reads in part:

 

"Information in the hands of the War Department indicates that your son was a crew member of a B-17 which left its base to attack the airport of Rabaul, New Guinea. 

 

"Shortly after reaching the target, the plane developed engine trouble and lagged behind the formation.  On the final approach to the target, the formation was attacked by a large number of enemy fighters.  Your son's plane sustained the brunt of the attack.  When leaving the target, the plane was seen to be losing altitude while fighting off an attack by enemy fighters.  This is the last available report concerning the fate of the bomber and its crew....

 

"Since no information has been received which would support a presumption of his continued survival, the War Department must now terminate your son's absence by a presumptive finding of  death."

 

Private McClure, who attended Windsor schools, enlisted in the army in October, 1941.  He was sent overseas in the summer of 1942.  He was reported missing on Aug. 31, 1942.  Private McClure, who was 21 when he took part in the raid on Rabaul, was born in Michigan and moved to Windsor with his family in 1930. 

 

In addition to his parents, he is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Leon White and Mrs. Willard Allen, both of Binghamton, and Miss Lilas McClure of Windsor, and four brothers, Donald of Haslett, Mich., and Howard, Wayne and Merrill, all of Windsor.