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name
RICKNER, Roy Robert - Date of
birth
2 March 1919 -
Age
26 - Place of
birth
Drumright, Creek County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
Creek County, Oklahoma
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-666080 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
566th Bombardment Squadron,
389th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 March 1945 - Place of
death
Münster, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 35 | 2 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Thomas M. Rickner (father)
Cora L Rickner (mother)
Roxey R. Rickner (brother)
Ruth R. Rickner (sister)
Russell R. Rickner (brother)
Rena Rickner (sister)
Buna E. Rickner (wife)
Eric E. Rickner (son)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-95588 -
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: Yankee Doodle Dandy
Destination: Münster, Germany
MACR: 13613
More information
Lt Roy Rickner attended Oklahoma A&M and studied at the University of Denver.He joined the Medical Department of the Regular Army on 19 September 1940. He asked for transfer to the Army Air Corps in January 1942 and received his commision on 15 October 1942. He first served as an instructor at the Bombardier School at Childress. He was sent overseas on 23 January 1943.
Just after leaving the target, the aircraft made a turn to the right as briefed. About one minute later, crew members of other aircraft in the group, noticed that the aircraft was in flames from the bomb bay area to the rear section. The aircraft then pulled up slightly and dropped off on its left wing and went down.
Lt Rickner's remains were found and initially buried by a German civilian in November 1947.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, www.389thbg.net, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - The Big Spring Daily Herald / The Abilene Reporter News / U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Arie-Jan van Hees via Chris van der Linden / Bombardier Class Book 42-14 Midland AFS Texas, www.findagrave.com - dfr