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name
RATCHFORD, Robert Hugh - Date of
birth
7 May 1923 -
Age
21 -
Place of birth
Belmont, Gaston County, North Carolina -
Hometown
Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
14180663 -
Rank
Technical Sergeant -
Function
Engineer -
Unit
564th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
9 March 1945 - Place of
death
Greven, north of Münster, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| N | 2 | 10 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Eubert Z. Ratchford (father)
Jessie L. (Bradley) Ratchford (mother)
Chas E. Ratchford (brother)
Leonard B. Ratchford (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-49382 -
Data
Type: B-24L
Destination: Münster, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yards
MACR: 12959
More information
T/Sgt Ratchford graduated from Belmont High School in June, 1942. In high school he was an outstanding student and a member of the football team. He was a mechanic.He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States at Camp Craft, South Carolina on 31 October 1942 and received his basic training at Fort Myers, Florida and Seymour Johnson Field, Goldboro. He was then assigned to the engineering school at Mountain Home, Idaho and after completing the course there he was flight engineer at Tonapoh, Nevada for eight months before he was sent overseas on 18 June 1944.
This was his 25th mission over Germany. In September 1944, Sgt Ratchford was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement in aerial combat over Kassel, Germany.
Aircraft 44-49382 was leading the low left squadron. It suffered a direct flak hit when it was about 30 seconds over the target. An eyewitness report stated the aircraft banked, made two turns, and then nosed over. The wings blew off and the ship burst into flames. The tail gunner and mickey operator survived and were survived and were taken prisoner. The other 10 crew members were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.newspaperarchive.com - Gastonia Daily Gazette
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspaperarchive.com - Gastonia Daily Gazette, www.ancestry.com - Belmont High School Yearbook 1942