Robert K Ritchie

Military

media-47532.jpeg UPL 47532 Robert K. Ritchie Crew
47th BG - 97th BS - 12th AF
L to R: Robert K. Ritchie (P), Archie D. Mull (G), Robert T. Coale (G), Harold D. Hackett (RN)
This crew was shot down flying A-20K 44-577 (not the A-20B in photo) on 23 Feb 1945.
Ritchie was KIA. Coale was not onboard. Mull was captured. Hackett evaded and returned to duty.

http://www.47thbombgroup.org/pictures.html

Object Number - UPL 47532 - Robert K. Ritchie Crew 47th BG - 97th BS - 12th AF L to R: Robert K. Ritchie (P), Archie D. Mull (G), Robert T. Coale (G), Harold D. Hackett...

MACR 12137.

Awards: PH.

Connections

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Units served with

47th Bomb Group

Unit Hierarchy: Group
Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

97th Bomb Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

People

Harold Emery Hackett

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: O-749961
Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
Role/Job: Bombardier / Navigator

Leonard G Hancock

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 17027936
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Arm/Gunner

Archie Dean Mull

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 18032573
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Gunner

Aircraft

44-577

Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
Nicknames: Hoosier Gal
Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron

Places

Ground personnel of the 51st Fighter Group, 10th Air Force work on a P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-29264). Handwritten caption on reverse: '51 FG, 316 FS, [illegible].'

Grosetto

Site type: Airfield
Known as: Grosetto Main

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Born	Kings County, California	31 August 1921
Died	55022 Montefegatesi LU, Italy	5 February 1945	Engine trouble caused Ritchie to not be able to maintain altitude in a mountainous area. He initially called and said that he thought the engine trouble had been rectified, but quickly realized that wasn't the case. After the bombardier called to ask when they should jump, Ritchie replied "Go right now!" His three crew were able to safely bail out while he tried to maintain control. Ritchie rode the aircraft in and was KIA.
Buried	Pievepelago, Italy	6 February 1945	Interred Pievepelago Cemetery
Buried	Golden Gate National Cemetery San Bruno San Mateo County CA		Re-Interred Golden Gate National Cemetery San Bruno San Mateo County California, USA
	Montgomery, Alabama		listed as a soldier in the US Army
	Armona, CA