NAME: MacLane, Robert C

ASN: O-403125

PLACE OF BIRTH:

DATE OF BIRTH:

DATES OF SERVICE:

UNIT ASSIGNED: F Company, 2nd Battalion, 509th PIR

CAMPAIGNS: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Nap;es-Foggia, Rome-Arno

AWARDS: Parachutist Badge with Combat Jump Star, EAME Campaign Medal with Arrowhead and three bronze star devices, WWII Victory Medal, 3rd Zouaves Regiment

SUMMARY OF SERVICE:

08 Nov 1942 - 2nd Lt. Robert C. MacLane, ASN: O-403125, Unit: F Co 2nd Bn 509th PIR, Hometown: Chicago, IL, Participated in Operation TORCH (VILLIAN) Plane: 9 Seat: 5 Combat Weight: 277 lbs.

Location and date unknown. Thought to be the an airfield in North Africa in 1943

Location and date unknown. Thought to be England 1942 weapons display. From front to back a M191A4 BMG, M1903 rifle with grenade launcher, M1928A1 Thompson SMG sticking out of a bag, a M1 Garand Rifle in two sections, hand grenades painted yellow, some field gear and at the very end of the tarp there is a cargo parachute on the left and a T-5 Main and Reserve personnel parachute on the right.

A German Assault glider known as a DFS 230. It carries 10 troops with combat equipment. The Germans used these often to conduct raids. This one was in North Africa 1942. The Soldier with his back to the camera is a French Soldier

Location and date unknown. 509th Soldier pose in front of C-47

The large wicker trunks are British drop containers used to drop additional supplies. The 509th and other US Airborne units used these early in the war before the US developed a external drop system that operated much the same way as external bomb shackles.

Location and date unknown. 509th officers in Italy

Lt. MacLane wearing Fifth Army Patch indicating probably photographed in Italy

Location and date unknown

In Europe was a packer with the 504th

When the 509th was reactivated in 1962/3 he was the battalion commander.

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