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name
RIES, Robert Eugene - Date of
birth
22 January 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan -
Hometown
Cook County, Illinois
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-704500 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
350th Bombardment Squadron,
100th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
29 July 1944 - Place of
death
Near Wülfingerode, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 41 | 2 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Gustave J. Ries (father)
Gertrude Ries (mother)
Evelyn Ries (sister)
Ruth Ries (sister)
John Ries (brother)
Audrey Ries (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-31903 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Hard Luck II
Destination: Merseburg, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the Leuna oil refinery
MACR: 7811
More information
2nd Lt Robert E. Ries graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago in 1939 and attended the University of Wisconsin. He was a clerk before joined the U.S. Army Reserve in Chicago, Illinois on 7 September 1942.No definite information concerning the loss of this aircraft is available. The leader of the squadron was forced to jettison his bombs short of the target because of flak damage. The formation broke up and all the aircraft except the leader were lost. It is assumed that most of them were lost to enemy fighter attacks at 1020 - 1040 hours near 5112N - 1140E.
Five crew members were killed, four were taken prisoner.
2nd Lt Ries was initially buried at the cemetery of Wülfingerode on 30 July 1944, together with the other killed crew members. At the time of their buriel, the other crew members could not be identified.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, www.100thbg.com, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.8thafhs.com, WWII Draft Cards, 1940 US Census
Photo source: Michel Beckers, Mount Carmel Alumni, The Cincinnati Enquirer 14 September 1944, Mount Carmel High School yearbook, 1939