Robert Edmond Bishop
First Lieutenant Robert E. Bishop was a Marine pilot with VMSB-341.
He was reported missing after a crash landing near Cape Gazelle, New Britain, on 17 January 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-21059
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
August 1, 1919
at Lansing, MI
Parents
Miles Emmanuel Mowery (d. 1920)
Marion Bordwell (Maltby) Mowery (d. 1920)
adopted by Ward & Evelyn Bishop
Education
Sunfield High School
Michigan State College (1941)
Occupation & Employer
Recent graduate
Service Life
Entered Service
August 5, 1941 (enlisted)
March 30, 1943 (officer)
Home Of Record
Vermontville, MI
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Charlotte K. Bishop
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMSB-341
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 17 January 1944, took off from Torokina to participate in a 29-plane strike on Japanese shipping at Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. Half of the flight aborted due to engine trouble; the remainder attacked and claimed damaging hits on four Japanese transports. Shore defenses put up “intense, accurate AA of all types” while a handful of enemy fighters intercepted the bombers on the withdrawal.
Lieutenant Bishop’s bomber (SBD-5 28316, Squadron Number 150) was seen to crash in the water two miles east of Cape Gazelle. He and his gunner, PFC Richard L. Parrow, were posted missing when the squadron returned to Torokina. Both Marines were ultimately declared dead on 15 January 1945.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Charlotte K. (Cook) Bishop.
Charlotte and Robert’s only son, also named Robert, was born on 19 January 1944 – two days after the Simpson Harbor mission.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the crash site, “about two miles off Cape Gazelle.”
