Memorial

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Ralph Nyren was born as Ralph John Hedlund. His father had abandoned him and his mother, and when he was four years and seven months old, his mother died. In September 1922, he was adopted by David C. and Anna Nyren and was named Ralph John Nyren.

Lt Nyren graduated from Roosevelt High School and was employed in the classified advertising department at The Register and Tribune.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Des Moines, Iowa on 10 August 1942.

The aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters.

According to a crew member of another plane in the formation, it was on fire from the engine to the rear of the plane.

Seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner; three were killed.

It was presumed that 2nd Lt Nyren was able to bail out, and he did. His body was found in the Kasereck mountains the next day in an area that was very hard to reach in winter conditions. This is probably the reason he didn't survive the night.