Ralph C Jenkins
MilitaryOwned by David E. Huntley - Author
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"
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 405th Fighter Group 510th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-370357
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 405th Fighter Group 510th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-816765
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Robinson Air Base
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Victoria, Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada | 14 May 1919 | |
Died |
Seattle, King County, Washington, USA | 10 May 2017 | (aged 97) |
Revisions
Added Born and Died events per Find-a-grave Memorial ID 179559522.
SOURCE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179559522/ralph-c-jenkins
Corrected a typo in the "Summary biography" - “established” was misspelled.
Acquired by David E. Huntley from Ralph C. Jenkins for my book and web site.
Other pictures courtesy of Ms Lucille Blood widow Lt Colonel Arlie Blood