ROBERT A. FRIES was a member of the much written about crew led by (then) Major Glober that flew to Wake Island on July 31, 1942, about 1,300 miles, to perform a photo reconnaissance. Two previous attempts were tried and the crews never returned. They made three passes over the island, one at 2,000 ft., a second at 4,000 ft. and the last at 6,000 ft. The last two passes were while enemy aircraft were engaging their B-17. Robert Fries flew as the left waist gunner. He recruited the remaining members of his crew for Legion of Valor membership and presented Bronze Crosses for Achievement to JROTC recipients.

Mr. Fries had been a member of the Legion of Valor since 1983, and resided in Pennsylvania.