Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
INGALLS, Ralph Oliver
Date of birth
17 April 1910
Age
34
Place of birth
San Jose, Santa Clara County, California
Hometown
Reno, Washoe County, Nevada
Ethnicity
White

Military service

Service number
19176816
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
349th Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
5 August 1944
Place of death
Heyrothsberge-Magdeburg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
K 26 10

Immediate family

Members
Eugene R. Ingalls (father)
Alta O. (McPherson) Ingalls (mother)
Josephine N. Ingalls (sister)
Helen E. (Lewis) Ingalls (1st wife)
Joan M. Ingalls (daughter)
Naomi (Byrle) Ingalls (2nd wife)

Plane data

Serial number
43-37572
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Sassy Lassy
Destination: Magdeburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Krupp-Grusonwerke armaments industry
MACR: 7878

More information

Sgt Ralph O. Ingalls was employed at the Nevada State Journal before he volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Los Angeles, California on 23 November 1942.

Eyewitnesses state that the 'Sassy L' or 'Sassy Lassy' was hit by flak as bombs were released. The aircraft disintegrated and no parachutes were seen. Later reports suggest it may have been bombs from another B-17 that destroyed the 'Sassy L'. There is no confirmation of this and the fate of the aircraft will probably never positively determined. The Casualty Report states the plane was hit by flak in the bomb bay. All 9 crewmen were killed. Six are listed on the Walls of the Missing at Margraten. The remains of William F. Edmondson and Herman F. Herhamer returned to the Unites States and Ralph O. Ingalls is buried at the American Military Cemetery of Lorraine.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Cunningham Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Coleman

Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Laura S / TxOma

Website by Wink