Gilbert Roland Ralston Jr
MilitaryAssigned to 369FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. 61 missions, 371:45 hours. Hit by flak Compiegne in P-51B 43-6620 and wounded in stomach. Baled out into English Channel 5 miles from French coast and rescued by ASR 11-Jun-44. Credited 2 kills. Ended Tour of Duty (ETD).
Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (7OLC), PH, Korean and UN medals.
Post war: Into USAF reserve with KY ANG, recalled to active service 1950, flew a 122 hr, 68 x mission tour in Korea on P-51's. Retired USAF Jun-68 at rank of Lt Colonel. Started real estate company in Littleton, MA.
Veteran interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRlWIdq3qgc
Connections
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Units served with
![Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377226.jpg.webp?itok=RQw6Mu-P)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Precious Pat The Maine Beau
- Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Buechel, Kentucky | 1 October 1921 | |
|
Enlisted |
Louisville, KY, USA | 10 August 1942 | |
|
Other Promotion |
Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK | 3 May 1944 | Promoted to 1st Lieutenant. |
|
Other Baled out into Channel |
English Channel | 11 June 1944 | Hit by flak Compiegne in P-51B 43-6620 and wounded in stomach. Baled out into English Channel 5 miles from French coast and rescued 11-Jun-44. |
|
Other E/A Destroyed [2] |
Germany | 11 September 1944 | Fw190 destroyed, Me109 destroyed 11-Sep-44. |
|
Other End Tour of Duty (ETD) |
England, UK | 10 December 1944 | Ended Tour of Duty (ETD). |
|
Died |
Palm City, FL, USA | 14 June 2013 | |
|
Buried |
19 October 2013 | ||
|
Based |
East Wretham | Assigned to 369FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. | |
|
Born |
Louisville, KY, USA | ||
|
Born |
Westford, MA 01886, USA | ||
|
Born |
Palm City, FL, USA |
Revisions
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk
https://www.fold3.com/image/28728048
https://www.fold3.com/page/91081158-gilbert-e-ralston/facts
http://www.cieldegloire.com/fg_359.php
359th Fighter Group, 1943-1945 By Thomas H. Raines
359th Fighter Group By Jack H Smith
P-51 Mustang By Gardner N. Hatch, Winter Frank H.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/wickedlocal-littleton/obituary.aspx?pa…
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154448197/gilbert-r-ralston
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list / Unit History