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name
FITCH, Ralph Herbert - Date of
birth
1923 -
Age
unknown -
Place of birth
Maine -
Hometown
South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11122096 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Radio Operator/Gunner -
Unit
497th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
10 May 1944 - Place of
death
Schaarbeek, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 32 | 13 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Benjamin H. Fitch (father)
Florence E. Fitch (mother)
Shirly Fitch (sister)
Verna Fitch (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95856 -
Data
Type: B-26B50
Destination: Mons, Belgium
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 4511
More information
Ralph H. Fitch attended South Portland High School.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Portland, Maine on 10 November 1942.
The aircraft was hit by flak and it blew up, both wings were blown off and the fuselage must have been broken in at least four pieces. Pieces of the aircraft were scattered all over the marshalling yard of Brussels.
It was the first time that Sgt Fitch flew with this crew. Their regular radio operator was away to school. Tail gunner Sgt Gusmann saw him struggling on the floor just as he bailed out. It is believed that he had been hit by some of the fragments when the plane was hit by flak.
A POW record for Sgt Fitch exists, stating he died in a dressing station, which probably means he could bail out, was severely wounded and taken to medical station and died the same day.
Three crew members could bail out and were taken prisoner. Three men were killed. They were initially killed at the English section of the cemetery of Evere, Belgium.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, 1930 US Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten