Robert Rosenthal (USAF)

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Lieutenant Colonel Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal (1917 - ) was one of the most decorated pilots in the Eighth Air Force of the USAAF in World War II, receiving sixteen awards from the United States including the Distinguished Service Cross for "extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy," the Silver Star (with cluster) for "gallantry in action," the Distinguished Flying Cross (with cluster) for "heroism or extraordinary achievement during aerial flight," the Air Medal (with seven clusters) and the Purple Heart (with cluster), as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross from Great Britain and the Croix de Guerre from France. Intelligence Officer Marvin Bowman is quoted describing Rosenthal as "one of the great figures of the Air Force; a shy, modest, and patriotic gentleman of truly amazing courage and achievement."

Rosenthal enlisted in the United States Army on December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. In August of 1943 he joined the 418th Squadron of the "Bloody" 100th Bombardment Group, stationed in England. In March of 1944, Rosenthal's crew, nicknamed "Rosie's Riveters", had completed their 25th mission, and thus were eligible for discharge (the average bomber crew lasting only 15 missions), but Rosenthal reenlisted, eventually flying a total of 53 missions. He later became commanding officer of the 350th Squadron.

In 2006, the Jewish-American Hall of Fame minted a medal depicting Rosenthal and his crew.

[edit] Notable missions

Out of 13 B-17s on a mission over Münster, Rosenthal's was the only plane to return, missing two engines, the intercom and the oxygen system, and with a large ragged hole in the right wing.

In September of 1944, Rosenthal's plane went down over Germany, breaking his arm and nose. He was rescued by the Free French and returned to duty as soon as he had healed.

On his second last mission on February 3, 1945, Rosenthal led a mission to bomb Berlin. Although his bomber was in flames from a direct hit, he continued to the target to drop his payload; then stayed with the plane until after the rest of the crew had bailed out, just before it exploded at only 1,000 feet altitude. He was recovered by the Russians and again returned to duty.

After the war, Rosenthal served as an assistant to the US prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials, where he interrogated Hermann Goering.