Name:
Ralph Edward Lavalle
Rank:
Flight Officer
Serial Number:
T-813
Unit:
84th Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group
Date of Death:
1944-08-15
State:
Michigan
Cemetery:
Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, France
Plot:
D
Row:
9
Grave:
20
Decoration:
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Comments:
Ralph Edward LaValle was born on September 7, 1917 in Manistee, Michigan. He was the son of Ralph J. LaValle and Ebba C. Johnson LaValle. He served in the 84th Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group as a Flight Officer during World War II. F/O LaValle was killed in action on 15 August 1944, whilst flying to Le Muy, France, as part of the Dragoon-Bigot-Dove mission. His CG-4A Haig Glider stalled and spun out of control. The glider then crash landed in a vertical position, killing La Valle and his pilot Paul Robert Kimball instantly. F/O LaValle is buried now in the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, France.