Ernst Ralph C.

Name:

Ralph C. Ernst

Rank:

Technical Sergeant

Serial Number:

6863975

Unit:

66th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1991-04-16

State:

Cemetery:

Little Rock National Cemetery, Arkansas

Plot:

Section 19

Row:

Grave:

Site 81

Decoration:

Comments:

Ralph C. Ernst was born on 19 September 1912 in Enderlin, North Dakota. He was the son of Emel W. Ernst and Minnie Ernst.

On 3 January 1943 in B-24D #41-23371, while serving as Radio Operator, the aircraft made a crash-landing near the crossroads south of Little Newcastle, Wales, returning from target U-Boat yards (submarine) at St. Nazaire, France. Fuel shortage caused the crash. Ernst was injured and hospitalized until 6 January 1943.

On 14 May 1943 on B-24D #41-23819 'Rugged Buggy', 68th Bomber Squadron, while serving as Radio Operator, the aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft on a mission to Kiel, Germany. He baled out and was captured, taken as POW.

TSgt Ernst survived the war. He is now buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com