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Personal info

Full name
WILE, Ralph W
Date of birth
22 May 1916
Age
28
Place of birth
Ohio
Hometown
German, Harrison County, Ohio

Military service

Service number
15011113
Rank
Technical Sergeant
Function
Engineer
Unit
329th Bombardment Squadron,
93rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
23 March 1945
Place of death
Münster, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
C 4 8

Immediate family

Members
Charles B. Wile (father)
Nina B. (Bolitho) Wile (mother)
Virginia E. Wile (half sister)
Charles B. Wile (half brother)
Edna M. (Renouf) Wile (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
44-49573
Data
Type: B-24L
Nickname: Ted's Traveling Circus
Destination: Münster, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the marschalling yard
MACR: 13602

More information

T/Sgt Ralph W. Wile attended high school for 4 years and was a mechanic.

He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio on 6 August 1940.

The aircraft was hit by two flak bursts. Immediately after "bombs away" it went into a sharp turn to the left, diving slightly. As it leveled out it burst into flames so completely engulfing the plane that immediately the left wing folded up and the plane swerved down and to the right.

Three crew members survived and were taken prisoner, nine were killed.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Family Tree, www.fold3.com - MACR

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Michael Dennehy