Ralph D Kolb

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Assigned to 343BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) 1-Aug-43 Ploesti raid, part of crew on B-24 'Four Eyes' 42-40655. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 174



Awards: DFC, AM (OLC), PH.

Connections

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

Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31125292
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Four Eyes - Damfino
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

Little Rock, AR 1 October 1942 Little Rock, Arkansas

Died

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Failed to Return (FTR) 1-Aug-43 Ploesti raid, part of crew on B-24 'Four Eyes' 42-40655. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 174
Arkansas, USA

Buried

Florence, Provincia di Firenze, Toscana, Italy.

Born

Arkansas

Based

Benina 1 August 1943 Assigned to 343BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF.