Memorial

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On 31 May 1944, our group was on a mission to bomb the target at Ploesti, Rumania. I was flying as bombardier in ship #345 in the #2 position in the left element of the 2nd attack unit. Lieutenant Lombardi's aircraft #42-278325 was in the lead element of the same unit. About thirthy minutes after leaving the target area, LT Lombardi's aircraft was hit by enemy fighters. As a result the wing broke out in flames. Soon after I counted six chutes as they left the ship at regular interval. The ship went into a dive and upon leveling off three more chutes came out. The ship then went into a spin and crashed on the ground. The time was 10.33 and the coordinates were 4433N-2430E.

Statement from Angelo Fategoni, 2ndLT, Air Corps:
"Raymond didn't bail out, he apparently was killed by flak or fighters. He was last seen in the ball turret and went down with the plane. He was initially buried at Costesti, Rumania, in an unmarked grave, since they were not positive which member of the crew he was."