Name:
Ralph E. Johnson
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Serial Number:
39082011
Unit:
410th Bomber Squadron, 94th Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1943-05-29
State:
California
Cemetery:
Brittany American Cemetery, St. James, France
Plot:
J
Row:
8
Grave:
10
Decoration:
Air Medal, Purple Heart
Comments:
SSgt Ralph E. Johnson, radio operator of the B-17 42-29692 “Man O War”, took off from station 468 Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK on a bombing mission against Rennes’ maritime warehouses in the ongoing effort against U-boats. After a successful drop with only light flak, the bombers turned for home with a tail of German fighters with some wartime aces at their head. “Man O War” ‘s section had to slow down due to damage sustained by flak, and the German fighters took full advantage of their separation. Coupled with renewed heavy flak, the section suffered, and “Man O War” was shot down by flak.