First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

7th Bomber Squadron, 34th Bomber Group, Heavy

Awards: Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
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1/Lt. Jacob T. RAVER. 7th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group, 93rd Combat Bombardment Wing, 3rd Air Division, 8th USAAF. Killed In Action on the 14th January 1945 aged 29.

Jacob Raver was born on the 30th August 1916 at Codorus Township, York County, Pennsylvania, the son of Norman & Elsie Raver. He joined the USAAF on the 30th June 1941 and trained as Pilot. Eventually, he was posted to 8th Air Force in England, where he joined the 7th Bomb Squadron of the 34th Bomb Group. On the 14th January 1945 he was piloting a B-17G Flying Fortress (43-38419), part of a force that were on a mission to Derben, Germany. The aircraft was hit by flak in the right wing and rolled over, almost like in a slow roll, during which time the outer wing panel tore away, just to the left of the outer engine nacelle. All four engines were still running as the aircraft went into a spin, going straight down. No fires were seen and no chutes observed. Some crews report this plane as exploding at about 15,000 feet. The aircraft crashed at Eggstedt, Germany.
Jacob Raver is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium. He is also remembered at the Reformed Church Cemetery, Glen Rock, Pennsylvannia.


Crew of B-17G 43-38419

1/Lt. Jacob T RAVER (P) GLEN ROCK, PA - Killed

2/Lt. Deane W KIEFER (CP) LAWRENCE, KS - Killed

1/Lt. Joseph L ZUMPANO (B) WILKES BARRE, PA - Killed

T/Sgt. William O HUHTA (R) ASHTABULA, OH - Killed

T/Sgt. John L SINGER (E) PONTIAC, IL - Killed

Sgt. Edwin C BAILEY (TG) RED OAK, IA - Killed

S/Sgt. David FRANCIS (Tog) SOMERSET, KY - Killed

S/Sgt. Clayton ERWN (BT) UPPER TYGART, KY - POW

S/Sgt. Ervin W HANKIN (TT) SIOUX FALLS, SD - POW


Information provided by T. Weaver