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Submit- Full
name
RYAN, Stephen Francis - Date of
birth
4 July 1921 -
Age
23 - Place of
birth
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-818757 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Co-Pilot -
Unit
550th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
12 July 1944 - Place of
death
Wolwelange-Rambrouch, Luxembourg
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 11 | 39 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Andrew L. Ryan (father)
Caroline I. Ryan (mother)
Mary E. Ryan (sister)
John P. Ryan (brother)
Barbara F. Ryan (sister)
Andrew L. Ryan (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-102606 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Curley’s Kids
Destination: Munich, Germany
Mission: Bombing of a marshalling yard, an aircraft engine factory and an airfield
MACR: 7489
More information
Stephen Ryan attended college and was a clerk.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 10 August 1942.
The B-17 with serial number 42-31917 was caught in the prop wash of the preceding aircraft, causing it to nose up and collide with B-17 #42-102606. Upon impact, #42-102606 sustained damage in the area surrounding the waist section and was last seen, out of control, going down through overcast.
One crew member survived and was taken prisoner, and nine men were killed.
Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Carla Mans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men
Photo source: Peter Schouteten