Ward Stanley Randolph was born on January 21, 1923, in Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana. He was the son of Henry Clarence Randolph and Emma Rosalie Ackerman Randolph. He was married to Marian Therese Pierce Randolph. He served in the 347th Bomber Squadron, 99th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of B-17G #42-32097 nicknamed "Slipstream" during World War II.

On December 18, 1944, Slipstream took part in a major bombing mission against the Odertal refinery as part of the 99th Bombardment Group’s strategic air campaign. A veteran aircraft with about 90 completed missions, Slipstream flew in the last squadron of the formation. After bombs were released, the aircraft fell slightly behind and was attacked by German FW-190 fighters, sustaining severe damage that knocked out its controls and set parts of the bomber ablaze. As the crew attempted to abandon the aircraft, additional attacks and centrifugal forces inside the spinning bomber killed several airmen before they could escape. The aircraft ultimately exploded and crashed near Bystrovany, along the Bystřice River in the present-day Czech Republic, scattering wreckage across nearby fields and villages. Seven crew members were killed, while three survived by parachuting and were captured by German forces.

2nd Lt. Randolph was captured by enemy forces, taken prisoner of war, and held at Dulag Luft Groß-Tychow (Dulag 12). After the war, he returned to military service, serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and ultimately retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was also a retired electrical engineer. He died on June 26, 2004, and is now buried in the Greenoaks Memorial Park, Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, http://www.leteckabadatelna.cz/