Robert A. Cain

Rank: Flight Officer, U.S. Army Air Forces

Serial Number: T-063549

Entered service from: New Jersey

Died: February 12, 1945

Burial: Harleigh Cemetery, Haddon Avenue, Camden, NJ

Flight Officer Robert A. Cain was a 1941 graduate of Collingswood High School. He worked as a toolmaker for the Warren Webster Company in Camden, NJ, after graduation. He entered the Army as an Aviation Cadet on December 10, 1942, and was called to active duty on February 24 of the following year. His training took him to Birmingham Southern College (Birmingham, AL), Nashville, TN, Maxwell Field (AL), Jackson, MS, Walnut Ridge (AR), and Spence Field (Moultrie, GA). On May 23, 1944, Robert Cain won his wings and was promoted to Flight Officer at Spence Field. He was then sent to Richmond, VA, to train as a fighter pilot.

At 1430 EWT on February 12, 1945, a Republic P-47C and a Martin B-26 bomber collided in mid-air and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, 45 miles northeast of Norfolk Army Air Field, Virginia, killing P-47 pilot Flight Officer Robert A. Cain and four crew members aboard the bomber. Killed in the crash of the B-26 were Captain Wesley E. Barbour (pilot), Technical Sergeant Carl H. Bundy (engineer), Private John J. Termotto (radio operator), and Private Edward E. Altimus (tow-reel operator).

The P-47 was flying in the number-three position of a three-ship flight that had taken off from Norfolk Army Air Field on an aerial gunnery mission. The flight rendezvoused with the B-26 target tow-ship and commenced the gunnery exercise, making about eight to ten passes at the target ship. The P-47 collided with the B-26 while pulling up after a firing pass. The P-47’s starboard wing collided with the port wing of the B-26, severing the wings of both aircraft. The airplanes went out of control and fell into the sea. Pilots flying in the area observed three parachutes descending, but no airmen were found when rescue craft arrived. Investigation revealed that Pvt. Termotto and Sgt. Bundy were struck by turning propellers when they bailed out, killing both instantly. Their parachutes apparently deployed because of the force of the impact. The bodies of Capt. Barbour and Pvt. Altimus were not recovered.

Flight Officer Cain’s body was recovered, and he was buried in Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, NJ, where he lies next to his father, Robert B. Cain.

Robert A. Cain is memorialized on the War Memorial on Haddon Avenue in Westmont (Haddon Township), NJ.

* In 1944, Westmont had no post office. It was serviced by Collingswood, and Westmont addresses were often printed as Collingswood.

Robert A. Cain, 21, Pilot of P-47, Killed Near Norfolk Air Field

A Westmont Army flier was killed last week in a plane accident 40 miles from the Norfolk Army Air Field, Va., where he was stationed.

He is Flight Officer Robert A. Cain, 21, of 205 Emerald Avenue. He was a P-47 pilot.

A War Department telegram to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Cain, gave no other information than the fact that he met his death in an airplane accident at the stated location.

A graduate of Collingswood High School, Cain entered the Army Air Force in February 1943. He received his basic training at Walnut Ridge, AR, and was graduated and commissioned at Spence Field, Moultrie, GA. He took a postgraduate course at Eglinton Field and was expected to go overseas next month.

He had been home on a short leave just a week before he met his death.

He also is survived by two brothers, Elmer and Kenneth, and a sister, Gladys. Funeral arrangements will be completed by the Foster Funeral Home, 800 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ.