Memorial

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Theodore Rickerl graduated from Gilbert High School in 1940. He also attended Iowa State College for one year followed by a short course in war work at the University of California, which qualified him as a draftsman in the Lockheed Aircraft Plant in Los Angeles.

He enlisted at Camp Dodge, Iowa on 23 November 1943 and trained at Camp Dodge, Sheppard Field, Texas State College, Bozeman, Montana, Lincoln, Nebraska and Camp Kingman, Arizona. He was sent overseas in 4 February 1945.

In the vicinity of Lutherstadt Wittenberg a flak burst shot off the entire tail section. In all probability the tail gunner, Sgt Theodore J. Rickerl, was killed outright. The oxygen system was also shot out the elevator control was disabled. The airplane peeled out of formation and began to lose altitude as a result of successive stalls which the pilots were unable to control.

Reports from other crews varied as to the condition of the body of Sgt Rickerl as it was seen flying through the air. His body was flying over a wing of the another airplane. One report stated that he was sitting in his bucket seat, still holding on to his guns. Another stated that the body was tumbling through the air. His other crew members were fairly certain that Sgt Rickerl was not wearing a parachute since he was using a harness and chest pack. He had a free fall of 21,000 feet.

Sgt Rickerl was the only casualty. Four men were taken prisoner, four men evaded capture.