Major Stuck made sure that needed troops and supplies got to the field.

Robert E. Stuck was born in North Dakota in 1920 to Mr. and Mrs. Leon H. Stuck. A sister, Marjorie, later joined Bob in the family. Stuck was raised and educated in North Dakota and graduated from Dickinson, North Dakota, High School in 1938. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Santa Cruz, California, and Stuck enrolled in Salinas Junior College. While there, he participated on the track team and in the winter, skied in the Sierra Mountains. From SJC he enrolled in San Jose State College where he joined the Alpha Eta Rho fraternity and took part in track events. During his three years in college, he worked part time in the entertainment field.

Robert Stuck enlisted in the US Army Air Force on December 29, 1941. He qualified for the cadet program and completed training courses at Santa Maria, Lemoore, and Stockton California. At the end the training period, he had earned his wings and a commission as second lieutenant. Lt. Stuck was given additional training at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Alliance, Nebraska, and was promoted to first lieutenant.

He was then assigned to the 80th Squadron of the 436th Troop Carrier Group and in October 1943, was promoted to captain. During July 1944, Robert Stuck was promoted to major and sent overseas.

In Europe Major Stuck's troop carrier unit flew paratroopers over Normandy on June 6, 1944, into Italy in July, and over Holland in September.

“[The 436th Troop Carrier Group] Towed gliders to Wesel on 24 March 1945 to provide troops for the airborne assault across the Rhine; carried gasoline to the front lines and evacuated patients, 30-31 March. It flew transport missions almost daily when not engaged in airborne operations; hauled such things as gasoline, ammunition, medical supplies, rations, and clothing; and evacuated the wounded to hospitals in England and France.”

While flying an unspecified mission on April 13, 1945, Major Robert E. Stuck was listed as killed in action. He was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten; his awards include the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters.

(ABMC; NARA2; SCSn September 2, 1942 1:2, April 27, 1945 1:1; 439th Troop Carrier Group; Early History; http://usaaf.com/9thaf/ Troop/436TC.htm, [16 September 2008])