Richard C Grimm
MilitaryAddition to Unit asssociations : http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/053.pdf
Flew 35 missions. He flew 6 missions with the 303rd from 24 July 1943 to 19 August 1943. These missions were centred in Heroya, Norway. Then he flew 29 missions with the 306th BG/367th BS from 19 Feb 1945 to 11 April 1945. These missions saw Richard travel to Gilze-Rijen, Holland. While with the 303rd, Grimm was unconscious for more than 30 minutes on the 25th July 1943 mission to Hamburg, Germany. Sgt Bruce Clemens became incapable of operating the 'Ball Turret Gunner', as such, Richard hastily relieved him. At this time, the B-17 aircraft was in the thick of combat; being set upon by an estimated 200 German fighters. Engulfed in the urgency of the situation, Richard neglected to hook up his A-13 oxygen bottle to the oxygen system and was unable to ready his electric flying suit. Regretfully, Richard's duty bound actions eventually left him with no discernible heartbeat, multiple lacerations on his forehead and he had swallowed his tongue. Further his eyes were frozen shut and his body virtually frozen. He was immediately transported to the base hospital at Molesworth upon landing and recovered shortly thereafter.
For his actions, Richard was recommended for the 'Distinguished Flying Cross' award in 1945. However, due to a misplacement of the documents he did not receive his award until 6th February 1992; this was only made possible due to the astuteness of his previous operations officer who became aware of the mishap and immediately made measures to remedy the debacle. In a 1992 interview Richard remarks "It was a wonder I survived that. But it is even more of a miracle that I got this award".
It is also noteworthy to mention that Richard undertook 25 missions as part of the USAF Air Rescue Service in Korea.
DFC,
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37675315
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA | 17 January 1924 | German father 1st generation US citizen and US mother. |
Died |
Massachusetts National Cemetery | 19 September 1999 | Buried Massachusetts National Cemetery. Bourne, Barnstable county, Massachusetts, USA. Awarded 'distinguished Flying Cross for Heroes'. |
Revisions
USAF Air Rescue Service in Korea: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/053.pdf
Quotes and evidence for the chain of events starting from and following his recommendation in 1945. http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/053.pdf
Proof of missions: http://www.303rdbg.com/hanl/1992-04.pdf
Details of what happened on mission to Hamburg and number of enemy aircraft. http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/053.pdf
Place of burial: https: //www.findagrave.com/memorial/726574/richard-c-grimm
Proof of fathers service in WW1: https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=6482&h=15230836&indiv=…
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum Membership List, July 2000, Roster; 306th BGA Collection / http://303rdbg.com/358sumarlidason-S.jpg#