Robert (“Bob”) Satter, WWII Veteran
William Vornkahl, President of the Westport Veterans Council announced that Robert Satter, a Veteran of World War II, has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the Memorial Day Parade to be held on Monday, May 26th.
Bob volunteered for active duty in World War II in November of 1942. Serving as a radio operator with the 8th Air Force, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and two battle stars and the Air medal with three oak leaf clusters after 25 missions in the European Theater of Operations. All of his missions were flown between February and June ’44 in the thick of the war raging over Europe. Of the 18 original crews that formed the 732nd Squadron—part of the 453rd bomb group headed by the actor Jimmy Stewart and awarded a presidential unit citation, 12 bit the dust. Satter’s own crew had three badly wounded men plus a frequently deficient ball turret gunner which meant that he doubled in that capacity whenever there was enemy activity.
After moving to Westport, Satter opened a portrait photography studio located in Sherwood’s barn right next to the Green’s Farms Post Office, sharing the studio with another famed photographer, George Cardozo. Among the many folks he photographed were the celebrities living in Westport, Fairfield, Darien and New Canaan until he retired in 2003. Sailing the sound around Westport, where he had a slip for about 25 years, was a major part of his life after his war service. His last sailboat was a 28 ft. Pearson sloop “On Location”.
The Parade begins at 9:00 a.m. on Riverside Avenue. Immediately following the Parade, Memorial services will be held on Veterans Green.