U. S. pilot killed in a crash on May 11, 1945

[strafer]

Dear all,
on May 11, 1945 a U.S. pilot named Robert Stillinger, born in Chicago in 1923, was killed in a crash 80 miles SW of Prague, Czechoslovakia (please see the location at http://www.mapy.cz/#mm=ZP@ax=1321451...=133840896@z=7)
Unfortunately, he is not listed atAccident-Reports.com, no MACR was issued... Could you please help identify the unit and the plane type?
Thanks! Kind regards, Filip Vojtasek

[dp_burke]

Hello Filip,

I won't be able to help you much but can you confirm the spelling of his name? I ran his name through the databases on ancestry.com and he did not seem to come up with that spelling.

Where did his name come up?

regards

Dennis

[strafer]

Unfortunately, I can't say for sure the spelling is correct - the name is taken from the memorial desk. On the other hand, the date seems to be correct. The point is that no U.S. plane was lost on may 11, 1945 over Czechoslovakia as far as I can tell.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Filip,

From the NARA website.
Richard C. Stillinger 19033652, enlisted (Reserve) 21-8-1942 Year of Birth given as 1920. From Latah County, Idaho. Enlisted at Geiger Field Spokane Washington, Not married and no dependants.
There does not seem to be any listed with name Robert.

However this Richard C. Stillinger cannot be the man as Richard Conrad Stillinger born 1st August 1920, died 18th August 1998 and is buried at
DRY CREEK CEMETERY
9600 HILL ROAD BOISE, ID 83706
(Ref:Nationwide Gravesite Locator)

From the CWGC website -
STILLINGER, ROY EDWARD
Initials:R E
Nationality:Canadian
Rank:Flying Officer (Air Bomber)
Regiment/Service:Royal Canadian Air Force
Unit Text:426 Sqdn.
Age:24
Date of Death:05/03/1945
Service No:J/38395
Additional information:Son of Clarence and Connie Stillinger, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; husband of M. Stillinger.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:9. B. 11.
Cemetery:Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery
From BCL 1945/Chorley: Halifax VII NP799 "OW-J" on an Op to Chemnitz.

Also found on Footnote that there was Robert J. Stillinger ( b. 1922 ) a sibling of Richard C.Stillinger.
And a Robert H. Stillinger ( b. 1924 ).

As Richard C. Stillinger was Air Force it could be that Robert H. was also Air Force.


All the best
Alex

[strafer]

A message from Public Library in Chicago: no obiturary of the person named Stillinger appeared in press published in the Chicago area...
Filip