Jean E Ray

Military
media-33005.jpeg UPL 33005 Staff Sergeant Jean E. Ray, Radio Operator, 100th Bomb Group Charles D Taylor collection

"Iowans of the Mighty Eighth", Chapter 22 "Biographies", by Charles D Taylor.

Object Number - UPL 33005 - Staff Sergeant Jean E. Ray, Radio Operator, 100th Bomb Group

Drafted in August 1942 he trained as a radio operator before joining the 100th at Thorpe Abbotts. Shot down 3 September 1943 in B-17 #4230035 'Torchy. ' Prisoner of War (POW). He was held at Stalag Luft XV11B for 19 months until the camp was evacuated ahead of the advancing Russians. He wrote up the experience of the forced march to the west, describing the appalling conditions until US soldiers arrived at their camp on 2nd May 1945.



POW

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

A bomber crew of the 100th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30035) nicknamed "Torchy". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau ' [stamp], '280032.' [Censor No]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Men who made shuttle-bombing raid on Regensburg, Associated Press Photo shows, left to right: Sgt Jas. M. Joh
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pasadena Nena aka Torchy
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Newton, Iowa

Revisions

Date
ContributorHelen
Changes
Sources

Iowans of the Mighty Eighth

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

100th Bomb Group Foundation Directory, 2000 - 2001; Roll of Honor, 1 Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey p.264 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Jean E Ray: Gallery (2 items)