SSgt. Robert J. Fritz
1920–October 10, 1944
Residence: Jones, Iowa
Education: 4 years high school
Occupation: Farm Hands, General Farms
Marital Status: Single, Without Dependents
Enlistment Date: January 8, 1943
Enlistment Place: Camp Dodge, Herrold, Iowa
Service/Unit: USAAF/408th Bomber Squadron, 22nd Bomber Group, Heavy
Service #: 37654469
Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Burial: Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
OXFORD JCT. BOY MISSING
Sergt. Robert Fritz Served Near Borneo
Staff Sergt. Robert J. Fritz has been reported missing in action over Borneo since Oct. 10, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Fritz, have been notified by the war department. He had been in service since January, 1943, and was an engineer and gunner on a Liberator bomber and recently was awarded the Air Medal for service in the South Pacific. He had been based on that area since last April.
Source: The Anamosa Journal, Anamosa, Iowa, November 2, 1944
Declare Robert Fritz, Oxford Jet., Officially Dead
OXFORD JUNCTION — Mr. and Mrs. Martin Fritz have been notified by the government that their son, Staff Sergt. Robert J. Fritz, has been declared officially dead. He was an engineer and gunner on a liberator bomber, and had been missing in action over Borneo since Oct. 10, 1944.
Sgt. Fritz was graduated from the Oxford Junction high school in 1938. He entered the service in January, 1943, and was sent overseas in April, 1944; and was shortly after cited for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights in the south Pacific area and was decorated with the Air medal.
He is survived by his parents and three sisters, Mrs. Mildred Willert, Toronto; Mrs. Frances Jeffrey, Oxford Junction, and Miss Velma Fritz, Chicago.
Source: The Anamosa Journal, Anamosa, Iowa, March 21, 1946
Note: Robert Fritz was declared "Missing In Action" when his B-24, while on a strike mission on aviation fuel refineries at Balikpapan, Borneo, was accidentally hit by an air burst phosphorous bomb which disabled one of the B-24's engines. His B-24 was then attacked by several fighters and shot down about 20 miles from the target.
