Capt. Robert Krumm

CAPT. ROBERT MITCHELL KRUMM

Van Horne

Capt. Robert Mitchell Krumm was killed in action Tuesday, Oct. 23, 1951, at the age of 33. He was a member of the 307th Bomber Squadron based in Kadena, Okinawa.

Robert was born in Van Horne on March 30, 1918, to Jacob and Grace Mitchell Krumm.

He was survived by his wife, Sally; his parents; brothers, Edmond (Roberta) and Keith (Corrine); and sisters, Ilene (Frank) Novak and Dorothy (Robert) Gaines.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald, in World War II.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941. After graduating from flight school, he was stationed in England. He completed 25 missions over Germany, including the D-Day invasion at Normandy. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart and 7 Oak Leaf Clusters.

He was recalled to active duty when the Korean War began. His plane was shot down in the South China Sea on Black Tuesday Over Namsi and his body was never recovered.

His parents were still feeling the pain of losing their other son, Donald (killed in a flight training mission in March 1943), when Bob was declared deceased. They declined a military service for Robert, being too painful to relive.

Although it's 60 years late, we feel he still deserves this honor. Our family invites all to honor this man who so gallantly laid his life on the altar of freedom.

Full military rights will be held at Cedar Memorial at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6.