This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/ZZB.2ACI/2793 Message Board Post: OBIT: OH-Warren Tribune 22 Feb 1946 Sgt ROBERT WILLIAM BETTS: MineralRidge; 24, a 1939 graduate from Mineral Ridge High School was officially declared dead in a notice received by his parents, Mr&Mrs William Betts-Youngstown, from the USGovernment. His plane was one of a squadron which set out from the Solomons on a mission against Japanese bases 10 Oct 1943. At the southern tip of Bougainville, enemy planes appeared. After a sharp fight, SgtBetts' plane began going down. Five parachutes opened, but Jap fighter planes machine-gunned them. No survivors were found after an extensive search. He worked for Dean&Best garage at Niles until he went to Patterson Field near Dayton as an airplane mechanic. A bro: MachinistsMate Richard Betts-in the SouthPacific & 2 sis: MrsFrances Ruth Tompkins-Mineral Ridge & MrsJayne Reed-Youngstown also survive.