Killed in the crash of his B-24, serial number 44-41116, on 22 August 1944 outside of Rábakecöl, Hungary.
On August 22nd, 1944 a B-24 (44-41116) of the 824h Bomber Squadron, 484th BG flying out of Torretta Airbase, Italy on a mission to Vienna's shot down and crashed in the vicinity of the village of Rábakecöl, Hungary. (44-41116 (MACR #8395.) Five of the crew were killed and their remains were buried here in the local cemetery. The other crew members became POWs. After the War the next of kin decided to repatriate the bodies to the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky for private burial with the exception of LT Ruthenberg who is buried in the American Military Cemetery in Lorraine. The locals erected a small headstone-like memorial, made of white marble and engraved with the five names, and continue to take care of the empty gravesite. The KIA included: 2nd Lt. John J Ruthenberg, O-689360, Pilot S/Sgt. Robert J Gunthorpe, 34602994, Flight Engineer S/Sgt. Philip W Wright, 37653078, Radio Operator Sgt. Irving C Woods, 17136468, Tail Gunner Pvt. Richard A Notarantonio, 31293371, Armorer-Gunner