Ralph Schulte
Military ROLL OF HONOURPersonal records
Ralph Schulte enlisted in September 1942 and began an intensive course of study in aviation mechanics at the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command, Amarillo Army Air Field, Texas. He got his wings at Fort Myers, Florida in 1943 and was sent overseas. Arrived in England 30 August 1943. Assigned to the 100th Bomb Group/349th Bomb Squadron. On his first mission, he was Right Waist Gunner on board B-17 #42-30259 'Damifino II' on a 24 September 1943 practice flight to test PFF equipment and technique. Intercepted by enemy fighters and shot down. Ditched North Sea. Ralph was among the 5 men killed, 5 were rescued by Royal Navy torpedo boats and returned to duty. MACR 778. His body was never found and he is still listed as MIA (Missing In Action).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- 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: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17051757
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12046800 at enlistment, then O-673491
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36264332
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31002387 at enlistment, then O-676883
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32391944
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Damifino ii
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 24 September 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
19 March 1921 | Paulding County, Ohio, the son of Herman John and Gladys Mae (Dotson) Schulte | |
Enlisted |
8 September 1942 | Toledo, Ohio | |
Other died (drowned in sea) |
24 September 1943 | after the ditching of B-17 42-30259 in the North Sea | |
Born |
Washington Township, Paulding County, Ohio | ||
Born |
Delphos, Allen County, Ohio | ||
Born |
Amarillo Field, Texas | ||
Other Memorialized |
on the Tablets of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery, England |
Revisions
Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
MACR 778
NARA WWII Enlistment records
US Census 1930
Delphos Daily Herald, Ohio, 27 January 1945
WWII Casualties for Allen County, Ohio
ABMC website
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 778 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database