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name
RUIZ, Arthur F - Date of
birth
16 November 1923 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
San Francisco County, California -
Hometown
Berkeley, Alameda County, California
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-776803 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
358th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
11 October 1944 - Place of
death
Near Wesseling, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| L | 19 | 9 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Arthur J. Ruiz (father)
Marie (Franzen) Ruiz (mother)
Richard B. Ruiz (brother)
Norma J.S. Ruiz (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38200 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Wesseling, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Braunkohle-Kraftstoffe A.G. - synthetic oil plant
MACR: 9564
More information
2nd Lt. Arthur F. Ruiz graduated from Albany High School in 1941 and was awarded the Boys League Cup and a scholarship Federation which entitled him to attend any university of college in the State Tuition-free. He chose the University of California at Berkley as part of the Class of 1945 and was a student there for a year and a half.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in San Francisco, California on 3 December 1942 and was sent overseas in September 1944.
The airplane received a direct flak hit between #1 and #2 engine. It was seen to smoke immediately. It then pulled off to the left, went down in a steep dive, and exploded about 15,000 feet in the air. Three parachutes were seen at the time the aircraft exploded as if men were blown out of the plane.
Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner, six were killed. They were initially buried at the POW Cemetery of Hoffnungstal on 28 October 1944.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, 303rdBomberGroup.com, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Birth Index / 1930 Census, www.myheritage.nl - Berkeley Daily Gazette
Photo source: Michel Beckers, www.ancestry.com - Albany High School Yearbook 1941, 303rdBomberGroup.com