Robert Morneweck 101st Air-borne KIA



I am Arthur , Robert’s older brother by 3 years.In spring of 1944 he came to see me at Gettysburg College, where I was a Army Air Corp. Cadet. Little did I know this would be the last time I would see him. Robert was shorter than me (I am 5’ 10”) but was solidly built.. He was in high school R.O.T.C. and was so proud when he received his paratrooper wings.,the following is from a letter my family received from one of Robert’s buddy’s father

He (Robert) was smaller than the other parachutists we knew and did not appear to be as sturdy.The last Sunday the boys were all at our house ,he demonstrated,at least, that I was wrong about that.. Several of my sons Washingtons friends were also at the party., including one boy in the Navy who described one of their setting up exercises.It starts with a push up from the floor, done with a sufficient snap to throw the body into the air..While up there, the trick is to clap the hands and click the heels together quickly enough to catch yourself before you shove your nose through the carpet..TheNavy boy did it once, very badly but Robert was interested. “That looks like a good trick” he said. So he spread himself out on the floor and did the thing ten times. I thinkhe could have done more but I stopped him, having some idea that the house might fall down if I didn’t..I will include a letter he sent to our mother on Mother’s Day. And a letter his buddy sent also.

I am lost as to what happened to him. The letters he sent home got lost through years of time. I know he was wounded in Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne. And was killed on a night action on Rhine River. I will post another post of where he is buried and the school teacher who takes care of his grave in Holland



Art long ago air man <papa@twmi.rr.com>