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Submit- Full
name
GRAVES, Richard Dorsey - Date of
birth
13 October 1916 -
Age
28 - Place of
birth
Thurston County, Washington -
Hometown
Pierce County, Washington
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-427497 -
Rank
Major -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
513th Fighter Squadron,
406th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 February 1945 - Place of
death
Between Ratingen and Hessel, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 34 | 47 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Harry T. Graves (father)
Frances O. (Dorsey) Graves (mother)
Frank T. Graves (brother)
Mary V. Graves (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-20398 -
Data
Type: P-47D30-RE
Destination: Dusseldorf area, Germany
Mission: Armed Reconnaissance
MACR: 12640
More information
“I, Lt Earl C. Cole, was flying #4 in a flight led by Major Graves. We were on an armed reconnaissance in the Dusseldorf area about 0900 on 23 February 1945. Our flight started a pass on two M/T traveling along the highway. As we started down, light flak opened up from our left. As the Major pulled off the target, he broke sharply to the left and went into the ground. The plane exploded and burst into flames. The point of crash was later identified as coordinate A-3606. Weather: 9/10—base 3500', top 4500' - haze, viz. 1–2 miles.”
Source of information: FOHF, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.ancestry.com - Contreras
Family Tree
Photo source: Jac Engels, www.findagrave.com - patootie