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name
LAPHAM, Richard Lee - Date of
birth
7 June 1924 -
Age
20 -
Place of birth
Painesville, Lake County, Ohio -
Hometown
Florida
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-823094 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
38th Fighter Squadron,
55th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
20 November 1944 - Place of
death
Werkendam, The Netherlands
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 43 | 28 |
Immediate family
-
Members
James Lapham (father)
Hattie Lapham (mother)
Robert Lapham (brother)
Ruth Lapham (sister)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-14586 -
Data
Type: P-51D
Nickname: Phyllis Jean
MACR: 10331
Mission: Bomber escort
Destination: Siegburg, Germany
More information
1st Lt Richard L. Lapham graduated from Harvey High School in 1942.He enlisted in Miami Beach, Florida, on 24 February 1943.
He flew 36 missions.
The airplane was probably hit by flak.
1st Lt Richard L. Lapham is remembered with a memorial marker at Williams Cemetery in LeRoy Township, Lake County, Ohio.
Source of information: Terry Hirsch, 55th Fighter Group Associaton, WWIIMemorial.com, NARA, Footnote.com, 55th.org, WWII Draft Card
Photo source: Michel Beckers, Russ Abbey, 55th Fighter Group Association