Memorial

More information

1st Lt Walter L. Ruzzo graduated from Harding High School and studied journalism at Ohio State University for one year. He volunteered for the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio on 24 March 1942.

He met his wife in college, and they were married on 20 July 1943 at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was stationed at that time.

He was sent overseas in August 1943.

His parents immigrated from Italy.

Lt Glen H. Smith, who was the pilot of another airplane in the same group, witnessed what happened: "I was flying on the right wing of the C-46D airplane ASN 44-77602, piloted by Lt James F. Claussen. After they had dropped their paratroopers on the drop zone they made a right turn-off and the airplane was last seen by me with their left engine on fire heading back toward the Rhine River. The airplane was under good control and about 100 feet off the ground.

There were 5 crew members and 29 passengers, all members of A Company of the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne Division on board.

Four crew members were killed. Only T/Sgt Charles L. Williams, Crew Chief, survived. He was partially out of the side escape hatch when the aircraft crash-landed and as a result he was thrown clear of the wreckage and unconscious. German medics carried him, seriously wounded, to a cellar, dressed his wounds and departed.