The collection consists of photocopies of diary entries made by Lt. Robert H. Van Slyke describing events related to each of the 41 bombing missions his squadron made between November 19, 1944 and April 22, 1945 in the German theater.
Collection Overview
Lt. Robert H. Van Slyke was born on February 20, 1925 in Little Falls, NY and enlisted in the U. S. Army following his junior year in high school at age 18, joining his three older brothers in the war effort. After basic training in Fort Dix, NJ and aviation cadet training in Alabama and Texas, he served as a bombardier and navigator aboard a B-26 Marauder, flying a total of 41 missions over Germany with the 454th Bomb Squadron. Van Slyke was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he returned to Little Falls to finish high school and went on to St. Lawrence University, where he graduated in 1950. Mr. Van Slyke became a high school math teacher, a basketball coach and a school administrator.
Also included are photocopies of Lt. Van Slyke’s military records, identification card, honorable discharge and several photographs. All material is kept in a 8 ½ x 11” three ring binder.
Gift of Charles Van Slyke, nephew of Lt. Robert H. Van Slyke, January 2016.