Ralph C. Jenkins: Was a 25 year old Flight Commander flying Thunderbolt fighters in the 510th Squadron, 405th Group 9th Air Force. Became Squadron Commander and flew 129 combat missions beginning on D-Day Normandy. After the airfield was established in Picauville near St. Mere Eglise by demolishing an apple orchard on June 29th 1944, laying down tar paper on the grass. He remained there until 11th September 1944 and was happy when Germans left Cherbourg airfield so Thunderbolt squadrons could land on a concrete runway. Almost all of his airborne missions were against the German Army and the roads , railroads, canals and airfields used by them.

They of course dealt with the Luftwaffe when the opportunity presented itself, but, by this time it was a much weakened force. German anti-aircraft fire made their missions extremely dangerous! Some of the most severe casualties we suffered were launched from Picauville. They would initiate their attack from about 5000 ft and ceased firing while they were literally at tree top level. Four of his fellow pilots Ralph believes are now buried at the American Cemetery:
2nd Lt William E. Varnes, Lt Col Bruce F. Parcell, 2nd Lt Clifford B. Russell and 1st Lt Benjamin F. Savage.

Ralph remembers attending their burial in a virgin field at that time. He understands that today it is now a most beautiful tribute to those who fell there.

When Lt Col Parcell was killed in action near St Lo, Ralph was given command of the 510th Fighter Squadron and retained that position at St Dizier France, Ophoven Belgium, and Kitzingen Germany until VE Day on May 8th 1945.

Retired as Col in Aug. 1968 and sadly passed away at 98 in May of 2017.
P-47D s/n 44-33133 2Z+T "Tallahssee Lassie"

Service

Events

Event	Location	Date
Born	Victoria, Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada	14 May 1919
Died	Seattle, King County, Washington, USA	10 May 2017
(aged 97)