Personnel

Robert A. LaFontaine enlisted in USAAF November 24,1942 and was discharged in Feb 1946. He always wanted to be a Mechanic since Pratt & Whitney and Hamilton Standard were both in his hometown. That is how he ended up being in "PROPELLERS".  He received his training at Fort Devan in Mass,  St Pierre Hotel-Miami Florida, Lincoln, Nebraska where graduated an Airplane Mechanic,  Chanault Field Ill where he graduated from Propellers, then to SLC Utah, Boise Idaho, and Ken Miles Standish.  In December 1943 he boarded the boat " Sterling Castle" and arrived in Liverpool in Jan 1944. He was then put on 6x6 truck and next stop was Thorpe Abbotts, 456th Sub Depot, Hut 31. His best Friends were Reginald Hargee, Wilford Burchfiel, Baynon "Chubby" Harris who smoked like mad.  During the war, Robert smoked a Pipe. A typical Day started in the shops at 7-8am to 4:30/5:00 depending on battle damage and need of props fixing.  We were never on the flight line, our work station was behind the T-2 Hangar by the 350th hardstands. Our HQ was right behind that hangar but we did not see much of the brass. We did get out on the line to take photos of the planes   



Robert A. Lafontaine 456th Sub Depot Nov. 25, 2018

Trained in Airplane Mechanics, Bob arrived at the 100th in January 1944 and was known as the “Prop Man” whose machine tool skills repaired B-17 propellers and helped keep the planes flying. Bob was one of those who did their jobs faithfully behind the scenes, not on the flight line, for the duration of the war. He attended many reunions over the years, and in 2013 Bob’s reputation soared to new heights when he drove all night in his new black Mustang from Connecticut to Savannah, then waited patiently in the hotel lobby for the reunion registration desk to open. In recent years Bob donated various service artifacts and uniforms which are on loan to the 100th Museum in Thorpe Abbotts as part of the 456th Sub Depot exhibit. Bob’s photo collection is featured on 100thbg.com website. 

See Personal Photo Album in the Photo archives under Site Features. 



Obituary: Robert Lafontaine, 95, Of Groton

Bob enjoyed playing saxophone in his band in his earlier years and was an avid boater throughout his entire life.

By RJ Scofield, Patch Staff | Nov 28, 2018 10:32 am ET



Obituary: Robert Lafontaine, 95, Of Groton

Information via Mystic Funeral Home



Robert A. Lafontaine, 95, passed away Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Avalon Health Center in Mystic. Born in Chicopee, MA he was the son to the late Alfred and Yvette (Roberts) Lafontaine. Bob lived most of his life in Groton, previously residing in Hartford for many years.



Bob was a U.S. Air Force Veteran during WWII. He was stationed in England as a member of the 8th Air Force, 100th Bomb Group and primarily served as an aircraft repair mechanic. After his discharge, he was employed at Allen Manufacturing as a machinist and tool maker retiring in 1976.



He loved the Big Band music era and in his earlier years, enjoyed playing the saxophone in his band with his late brother, Donald. Bob was an avid boater throughout his entire life and could be seen on Long Island Sound aboard his Hatteras sport fisherman. He was also a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.



Bob is survived by his nephew, William A. Lafontaine and his wife, Leslie, of Nashville, TN; nieces, Jean (Symonds) Townley and her husband, Robert and Chris (Symonds) Taylor all of Fort Worth, TX; and eight grand-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald Lafontaine of Mystic and his sister, Rose Marie Symonds, of Tarrant, TX.



Relatives and friends are invited to visit the family Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Mystic Funeral Home on Route 1. A funeral mass will follow at noon at St. Patrick Church (32 East Main Street, Mystic). His burial will follow at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic with military honors.