Ralph Casstevens October 10, 1923 in North Carolina.
He was the Co-Pilot on B-24 (42-95241) also known as the “Jolly Duck” of the 578th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, 8th US Air Force. On February 22, 1945, the “Jolly Duck” was on a bombing mission over Germany. After completing mission on the return flight, the plane lost two engines. The pilots were able to make a controlled crash landing in Zoeterwoude, Holland; all of the nine-man crew survived. The plane commander, Pilot Walker directed the crew split up in order to evade capture. Some were captured; others were able to evade and return to duty with the assistance of Dutch Resistance.
With the assistance of the Dutch he was able to evade capture. >br> McCormick was assisted by the Dutch Resistance to a nearby hunting lodge "Het Jachthuis" on the banks of the River Rotte. There he decided to stay and fight with the Dutch Resistance, which he did for the next two months. On April 29, 1945, the enemy attacked “Het Jachthuis” killing McCormick. SSG McCormick is buried in nearby; see site Zoetermeer - Old Church. He is buried along side three of the Dutch resistance fighters.
The Crew of the B-24 included: 1/Lt Joseph R. Walker, pilot, evaded capture; 2/Lt Ralph C. Casstevens, copilot, Evaded Capture; 1/Lt John J. Donohue, bombardier-navigator, Evaded Capture; S/Sgt Harold A. Shea, nose gunner, POW; Sgt Francis J. Nagle, radio operator, POW S/Sgt Allan W. Hicks, engineer, POW; S/Sgt John E. McCormick, waist gunner, KIA; S/Sgt John A.H. Lingle, waist gunner, POW; S/Sgt Elmer E. Duerr, tail gunner, Evaded Capture; From Find a Grave: He also flew with the 579th Bomber Squadron and was on a B-24 shot down over Belgium (Pilot: Kaiser)
Co Pilot 2nd/Lt. Ralph C. Casstevens EVD it is noted was also on the Lt. Kaiser crew that had the airborne emergency and abandoned /crash landed a ship on the 1 January 1945 mission to Engers)