FTO Robert Montilla Haverly was born in Cook County, Illinois, on July 2, 1923, to Walker W. Haverly and Ruby Soper-Haverly, and had one sister and brother. His family resided at 846 South 24th Avenue, Bellwood, Illinois. His parents originally were from Lexington, Kentucky. Robert graduated from Roosevelt School and from Proviso Township High School in 1943. He worked as a machinist at Electro-Motive, LaGrange, Illinois.
Available information shows that he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in September 1943. It is known he trained at the following places. Miami, Florida, Michigan State University, December 1943; San Antonio, Texas; Big springs Bombardier School, Big Springs, Texas; and Salman Field, Monroe, Louisiana. It was there he was commissioned a Flight Officer and received his navigator wings on December 23, 1944. He also received the serial number T139174. He then was sent to Greensboro Airfield, North Carolina, for additional training. Before he shipped overseas, he went home to visit his family. In France, he was assigned to the 643rd Bomb Squadron, 409th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force.
Available information suggests that he was one of four men who volunteered to test a new shirt-range navigation system on an A-26 Attack Bomber. What is known is that the plane was hit by enemy fire near Noerdlingen, Germany, on April 18, 1945, and crashed. All four of the crew members were killed. Robert was reported Missing in Action. The exact date is not known, but Robert’s parents received a telegram from the War Department.
MRS RUBY HAVERLY
646 24TH AVENUE
BELLWOOD ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON FLIGHT OFFICER ROBERT M HAVERLY HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE EIGHTEEN APRIL OVER GERMANY PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
On May 2, 1945, Germany surrendered, and its military records recovered. Apparently, no information on Robert was found.
His parents received a letter dated July 15, 1945.
Mrs. Ruby S. Haverly
646 South 24th Avenue
Bellwood, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Haverly:
I am sure by this time you have received notice from the War Department that your son, A. S. S. T-139174, is missing in action as of 18 April 1945.
F/O Haverly was navigator for his crew to a target, the Marshalling yards at Nordlingen, Germany. His aircraft was sent alone on this mission to test important new equipment and was seen to be shot down by enemy aircraft. No chutes were observed.
Your son was assigned to our to Captain Roy L. Brown, one of our best officers. Your son worked especially well with this teak to make an excellent combat crew.
Although we never became too well acquainted with your son, he has many friends in the group. One in particular came overseas with him (F/O Maurice B. Garlow). Garlow and our son graduated in the same navigation class and had been together some twelve months. F/O Haverly was planning on returning to school as soon as possible after the war.
Your son’s personal effects have been cared for in accordance with regulations ad will be shipped to you by the Army Quartermaster Corps.
I wish to extend to you the sincere sympathy from the officers and men of this group as well as y own in this time of fear and anxiety.
Sincerely,
(signed)
LOUIS W. STOCKING
Lt. Col. Air Corps, Commanding
An American Graves Registration team was sent to the cemetery at Elchingen, Germany, and the remains of three American airmen were recovered in the cemetery. The remains were taken to the United States Military Cemetery, St. Avold, France, and buried in Plot HHHH, Row 10, Grave 117. A finding of death based on his status as being missing in action was made on April 19, 1946. His parents were sent a letter on September 14, 1949, telling them that Robert date had been changed to April 18, 1945, Elchingen, Germany, based on new information.
On September 23, 1949, his father received a letter telling him could not positively identify Robert’s remains or those of two other members of his crew. so a group identification had been made. Since the three men could no be identified as individuals, the Quartermaster Corps was burying them at Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois. The cemetery was selected because each man’s family would have approximately the same distance to travel to the grave. On March 30, 1950, FTO Robert M. Haverly, Capt. Roy L. Brown, and 1st Lt. Robert H. Armstrong were buried in Plot E, Grave 32/34 in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois.
