Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
GRIPNE, Roy W
Date of birth
3 February 1920
Age
25
Place of birth
Staples, Todd County, Minnesota
Hometown
Staples, Todd County, Minnesota

Military service

Service number
16047511
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Waist Gunner
Unit
848th Bombardment Squadron,
490th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
19 April 1945
Place of death
Near Marienberg, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
Plot Row Grave
D 4 16

Immediate family

Members
Henry Gripne (father)
Anna E. Gripne (mother)
Henry J. Gripne (brother)
Donald Gripne (brother)
John J. Gripne (brother)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38135
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Ustinad Labem, Czechoslovakia
Mission: Bombing of the marshalling yard
MACR: 14193

More information

Roy Gripne attended high school for four years and was a chauffeur.

He volunteered for the Air Corps of the Army of the United States in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 29 December 1941.

The airplane was attacked by ME262 jetplanes and exploded.

Two crew members survived and were taken prisoner, seven men were killed.

This was their first mission.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: Peter Schouteten