[Alex Smart]

Hello Andy & Laurent,

The "not my man" collision.

On the 30th June 1944 P47, 42-8511 piloted by Robert W. Larson of the 353rd Fighter Group was involved in a collision in the air with P47, 42-8628 piloted by william K. Lahke. The result was that Larson was killed.
Lahke's P47 following repairs (?) continued in service until the 5th September 1944 when piloted by John W. Furneaux was lost (MACR 8403)and Furneaux became a POW.
Ref the P47 Database and "Fighter Losses of the Mighty Eighth".
Following on from that event, at Enid AAF Base in the USA on 28th May 1945 an AT6A 41-766 piloted by Robert W. Larson was involved in a landing accident.
Ref: Craig's AAIR site.
As this must be a second/third Robert W. Larson, could this man be the one you are looking for , did he survive the 1942/3 Tunisia event you mention returning later to the USA surviving the war?
From the NARA database 7 possible enlistments in 1941/2, while 2 in the reserve lists Air Force both from Iowa, Winnebago and Story.

Sorry, as always more questions.
Alex