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Personal info

Full name
RICE, Bernard
Date of birth
18 June 1916
Age
27
Place of birth
Baguio, Philippine Islands
Hometown
Denver, Denver County, Colorado

Military service

Service number
O-440520
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
360th Bombardment Squadron,
303rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
2 October 1943
Place of death
North Sea, off the coast of Denmark

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Joseph Rice (father)
Louise H. Rice (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-5260
Data
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Yardbird II
Destination: Emden, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the industrial area
MACR: 738

More information

The aircraft was hit by gunfire from two ME-109's immediately after the formation left the target. The ship peeled off, went down out of control, and exploded above the overcast. One parachute was observed coming out it went out of sight.

In addition to the crew of ten, a photographer, Sgt Carney C. Rhodes Jr., was on board. All were killed. Only the body of Hugh F. Gigney Jr. was recovered when it washed ashore at Esbjerg, where he was initally buried on 3 December 1942. He is now interred at Ardennes Cemetery.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, 303rd Bomb Group, www.wwiimemorial.com, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, 303rd Bomb Group, http://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=183976