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Personal info

Full name
RAY, Reuben Wood
Date of birth
16 July 1922
Age
21
Place of birth
Lavaca, Sebastian County, Arkansas
Hometown
Sebastian County, Arkansas

Military service

Service number
18165452
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Right Waist Gunner
Unit
856th Bombardment Squadron,
492nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
19 May 1944
Place of death
Near Linsburg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 16 11

Immediate family

Members
Reuben M. Ray (father)
Eva F. (Wood) Ray (mother)

Plane data

Serial number
44-40151
Data
Type: B-24J
Nickname: GI Joe
Destination: Brunswick, Germany
Mission: Bombing Mission
Target: Marshalling Area, Brunswick, Germany
MACR: 5244

More information

Sgt Reuben W. Ray graduated from Lavaca High School and was employed by the Douglas Corporation
and Consolidated Shipyards.

The 492nd Bomber Group was caught without fighter protection by the German Luftwaffe. After being severely hit by FW-190s, Pilot Pratt announced to his crew that they were going to bomb the target "come hell or high water!" But the spreading fire forced an order to abandon the airplane. Only 3 gunners made it out before the fire reached the bomb bay causing the aircraft to explode into a huge fireball.

Source of information: Michel Beckers, Rebecca Lowe, 492ndbombgroup.com, MACR 5244

Photo source: Stephanie Meyer, Storiesbehindthestars.org