Ralph F. Wheeler was born on June 6, 1917, in Presque Isle, Aroostook County, Maine. He was married to Olga Wheeler. He worked as a farm hand before enlisting in the Army Air Corps on January 10, 1942. He served in the 760th Bomber Squadron, 460th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Gunner of B-24 #41-29291 during World War II.

On June 30, 1944, B-24H 41-29291 also joined the Fifteenth Air Force strike on Blechhammer, flying deep into German-held territory as part of the long-range strategic effort to cripple Axis fuel production. After releasing its payload, the bomber began the difficult homeward journey, navigating thunderstorms, heavy flak belts, and persistent Luftwaffe fighter attacks. Over northern Lake Balaton, the aircraft came under renewed pressure as enemy fighters pounced on stragglers from the American stream. Damaged and unable to hold altitude, 41-29291 broke away and attempted an emergency descent toward the countryside near Nemesvita, just north of the lake. The Liberator crashed in the rural terrain there, scattering debris and leading to an immediate German response. Some crewmen were killed outright, while others survived to be taken prisoner.

TSgt Wheeler was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, St Avold, France.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, norwalkctheroes.org, www.15thaf.org