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name
HELBING, Richard H - Date of
birth
28 August 1921 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Lucas County, Ohio -
Hometown
Lucas County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
15019671 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
576th Bombardment Squadron,
392nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 February 1944 - Place of
death
Ruhla, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| O | 14 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Gustave C. Helbing (father)
Maria R. Helbing (mother)
Jean A. Helbing (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-100102 -
Data
Type: B-24H
Nickname: Texas Refugees
Destination: Gotha, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the aircraft industry
MACR: 2950
More information
S/Sgt Richard H. Helbing graduated from Waite High school in 1939 where he was a member of the Spanish Club.The plane was under attack by 5 enemy FW190 fighters. Two engines were knocked out, and the ship caught on fire. Five men did not leave their crew positions to bail out and went down with the aircraft presumably due to the ship's explosion.
Five other crew members survived and were taken prisoner.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, www.B24.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, 1920/1940 Census
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Waite High School (Toledo, Ohio) yearbook 1939