Robert James Trulaske was born on 29-APR 1918 in St. Louis City, Missouri. His father was Frank Trulaske (1894-1989), and his mother was Marie E. Brown Trulaske (1894-1964). They had two sons: Robert and Arthur (1922-1995).
Robert graduated in 1936 from Wellston High School. In 1930 the family lived in St. Louis MO. Robert was one of only two graduates from Wellston High School to attend college.
Robert attended college at the University of Missouri, graduating in 1940 with a Bachelor’s degree in business. During his time at the University, Robert was in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), receiving his saber at graduation from then U.S. Senator Harry S. Truman.
Robert registered for the draft on 16-OCT 1940 in St. Louis. At the time he registered his employer was listed as Procter and Gamble.
Robert served from 1941-1945 in the Army Air Corps. Robert went on to serve in World War II as a combat pilot flying C-47’s with the 88th Troop Carrier Squadron and 438th Troop Carrier Group of the Ninth Air Force. The 438th was activated on 1-JUN 1943, trained with C-47’s and moved to England in Feb 1944 and was assigned to the Ninth Air Force.
For the rest of Robert’s story, click on the pdf below: