ROBERT J. CAVANAUGH
Some Mason Cityans, anxious to get into action in the battle against the axis, did not wait for the United States declaration of war but joined Canadian forces last fall. Of these, some are in active duty now after completing intensive training in Canada.
Robert J. Cavanaugh is a fighter pilot and leading aircraftsman.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, October 30, 1942 (photo included)
Bob Cavanaugh of the R.C.A.F. Is Killed in Action Overseas
Local Flyer Joined Canadian Forces September 29, 1941
Bob Cavanaugh, 21, Mason Cityan in the Royal Canadian Air Force, has been killed in action, according to a telegram received by his mother, Mrs. Catherine Cavanaugh, 1421 Quincy avenue northwest.
The telegram stated that he had been “killed in action overseas with the rank of sergeant.”
The local flyer, a fighter pilot, enlisted in the R. C. A. F. Sept. 29, 1941, at Montreal, Canada. He began his training in initial training schools near Toronto, Canada, and later attended a service flying training school in Ontario for instruction in combat flying. He was sent overseas after receiving his wings as a fighter pilot.
He was graduated from Holy Family high school in 1939. While attending the local school he was a star athlete, earning all-state football honors as a halfback in his junior year.
Sergeant Cavanaugh is survived by his mother, five brothers and six sisters. Arrangements for funeral services are incomplete.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, November 20, 1942 (photo included)
35 Cerro Gordo Men Killed in Action in 2 ½ Years of War
Memorial Day this year marks almost 2 ½ years since the United States entered World War II. Of the more than 11 million men serving with the U.S. armed forces at home and overseas, it is estimated that Cerro Gordo county has contributed 4,100 men.
Listed killed in action are as follows:
Sgt. Robert J. Cavanaugh with RCAF overseas in September 1941.
Source: Mason City Globe-Gazette, May 30, 1944
Robert Jerome “Bob" Cavanaugh was born Sept. 30, 1916 to J. H. and Eva L. Klinkner Cavanaugh. He died Apr. 1, 1944 and is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Italy.
Sgt. Cavanaugh served with the U.S. Army 337th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division and was KIA in Italy. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Sources: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
