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Submit- Full
name
STOLZ, Ralph Edwin - Date of
birth
12 January 1920 -
Age
24 -
Place of birth
Salina, Saline County, Kansas -
Hometown
Abilene, Dickinson County, Kansas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-767908 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
324th Bombardment Squadron,
91st Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
30 November 1944 - Place of
death
Near Zeitz, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| J | 35 | 38 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph A. Stolz Sr. (father)
Nelle M. (Miller) Stolz (mother)
George M. Stolz (brother)
Alberta M. Stolz (sister)
Florence M. Stolz (sister)
Muriel Stolz (sister)
Joseph A. Stolz Jr. (brother)
Inez E. (Miller) Stolz (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-38742 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Zeitz, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the synthetic oil refinery
MACR: 11044
More information
2nd Lt Ralph E. Stolz attended college and was a salesman before he joined the Regular Army at Camp San Luis Obispo, California on 28 October 1942.S/Sgt John C. Porter:
At about two minutes after bombs away, altitude 24,000 feet, I saw aircraft B-17G, 43-38742, after it had pulled out of formation in the high squadron. The aircraft was approximately 500 feet below and slightly to the rear of our ship. At this time the aircraft exploded, disintegrating completely. I saw no crew members leave the ship our parachutes open. As I did not see subject aircraft when it left the high squadron it is possible that some of the crew members may have bailed out prior to the time that I first noticed the aircraft flying below our position.
2nd Lt George A. Minich:
He was still trying to fly the plane a few seconds before the ship exploded. He had no time to bail out.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Wegner Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – Barb T
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Brenda S H, Arie-Jan van Hees, Pilot Class Book 44-B Hemet, California.