Robert K Ritchie

Military

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

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

A-26 Invaders, including (serial number 43-22575) of the 47th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force lined up in Italy.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • 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
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17027936
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Arm/Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 47th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18032573
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Aircraft

  • 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].'
  • 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

Revisions

Date20 Dec 2021 19:39:12
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to biography
Sources

Cleaned up bio

Date19 Dec 2021 16:37:28
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to events
Date25 Jan 2021 23:51:18
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to events
Sources

findagrave.com

Date25 Jan 2021 12:37:54
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesChanges to events and unit associations
Date16 Jan 2021 04:12:03
Contributor466thHistorian
ChangesChanges to events
Date1 May 2017 10:32:07
ContributorAl_Skiff
ChangesCreated entry with surname, middlename, firstname, nationality, service number, highest rank, role, biography, events, person associations and unit associations

Robert K Ritchie: Gallery (1 items)