Staff Sergeant Richard Sheraski was born September 16, 1924. His next of kin were his father, John C. Sheraski and his mother Blanche Sheraski, née Konieczka. He had 3 brothers, Frank, Edward and Carl, and 3 sisters, Susan, Sophie and Theresa (Sheraski) Ruebesam. He was from Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

He had completed 12 missions and served as Nose Gunner on B-24 #42-95240 on a supply mission to aid the 17th US Airborne during Operation Varsity on 24 March 1945 (American and British forces crossing the Rhine). The plane was flying at 300ft when it was hit by ground fire shortly after dropping the supplies in the Wesel area, Germany. After being hit, the B-24 nosed straight down into the ground and exploded. Richard Sheraski and the eight other crew members on board were killed instantly.

He was awarded the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart.