Advertisement

<span class=prefix>Sgt</span> Elbert Joseph Ravenscraft

Advertisement

Sgt Elbert Joseph Ravenscraft Veteran

Birth
Hannibal, Marion County, Missouri, USA
Death
7 May 1945 (aged 24)
Germany
Burial
Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source


564th Bomber Squadron, 389th Bomber Group, Heavy
B-24J #44-10620

The crew and passengers of B-24J #44-10620 'The Falcon Returns' left on a Trolley Mission 7 May 1945. Trolley missions were flown in early May 1945, the purpose being to provide all crew and ground personnel the opportunity to see the results of their contribution in the strategic air war against Germany. Many precautions were taken on these missions, and the most responsible and experienced pilots were chosen to fly. There were no trolley missions flown in bad weather. Despite such precautions, accidents occurred, such as this. All nineteen men aboard were killed, and only six of them recovered, when the plane crashed into Engers Bridge on the Rhine River, near Cologne Germany. The crew members were~


2nd Lt George M Saunderson, ASN O-780732, Pilot, from Woodbury Co IA, Missing
2nd Lt Cornelius J Atkins, ASN O-945742, Co-Pilot, from Providence Co RI, Missing
(was previously Flight Officer, ASN T-131118)
2nd Lt Stephen B Curtis, ASN O-2073073, Navigator, from Litchfield Co CT, Missing
TSgt Chester D Conrad, ASN 35229020, Radio Operator/Gunner, from Lima, Allen Co OH
TSgt John A Kunkel, ASN 13029003, from Berks Co PA, Missing
TSgt Gildo J Uliana, ASN 11018902, from Monson, Hampden Co MA
SSgt Gordon H Thomas, ASN 35532630, from Summit Co OH
SSgt John J Dunnings, ASN 32808739, from Westchester Co NY, Missing
Sgt Thomas B Evans, Jr, ASN 34845769, from Marion Co SC, Missing
Sgt William C Riser, ASN 34847945, from Calhoun Co SC, Missing
Sgt Raymond J Ruth, ASN 33561175, from Baltimore MD, Missing
Sgt Abe A Becker, ASN 35309153, from Elyria, Lorain Co OH
PFC Alfred W Odegard, ASN 19072135, from Flathead Co MT, Missing
Cpl William K Emery, ASN 39095551, from San Francisco CA
-----
*TSgt Ronald F Maier, ASN 36043894, from White Co IL
*SSgt Fredrick W Selk, ASN 37113153, from IA, Missing
SSgt Stanley A Andersen ASN 16037725, from Cook Co IL, Missing
SSgt Lilbern D Daly, ASN 37405955, from St Louis MO, Missing
Sgt Elbert J Ravenscraft, ASN 36631511, from Cook Co IL, Missing

-----
*832nd Squadron, 406th Air Service Group


564th Bomber Squadron, 389th Bomber Group, Heavy
B-24J #44-10620

The crew and passengers of B-24J #44-10620 'The Falcon Returns' left on a Trolley Mission 7 May 1945. Trolley missions were flown in early May 1945, the purpose being to provide all crew and ground personnel the opportunity to see the results of their contribution in the strategic air war against Germany. Many precautions were taken on these missions, and the most responsible and experienced pilots were chosen to fly. There were no trolley missions flown in bad weather. Despite such precautions, accidents occurred, such as this. All nineteen men aboard were killed, and only six of them recovered, when the plane crashed into Engers Bridge on the Rhine River, near Cologne Germany. The crew members were~


2nd Lt George M Saunderson, ASN O-780732, Pilot, from Woodbury Co IA, Missing
2nd Lt Cornelius J Atkins, ASN O-945742, Co-Pilot, from Providence Co RI, Missing
(was previously Flight Officer, ASN T-131118)
2nd Lt Stephen B Curtis, ASN O-2073073, Navigator, from Litchfield Co CT, Missing
TSgt Chester D Conrad, ASN 35229020, Radio Operator/Gunner, from Lima, Allen Co OH
TSgt John A Kunkel, ASN 13029003, from Berks Co PA, Missing
TSgt Gildo J Uliana, ASN 11018902, from Monson, Hampden Co MA
SSgt Gordon H Thomas, ASN 35532630, from Summit Co OH
SSgt John J Dunnings, ASN 32808739, from Westchester Co NY, Missing
Sgt Thomas B Evans, Jr, ASN 34845769, from Marion Co SC, Missing
Sgt William C Riser, ASN 34847945, from Calhoun Co SC, Missing
Sgt Raymond J Ruth, ASN 33561175, from Baltimore MD, Missing
Sgt Abe A Becker, ASN 35309153, from Elyria, Lorain Co OH
PFC Alfred W Odegard, ASN 19072135, from Flathead Co MT, Missing
Cpl William K Emery, ASN 39095551, from San Francisco CA
-----
*TSgt Ronald F Maier, ASN 36043894, from White Co IL
*SSgt Fredrick W Selk, ASN 37113153, from IA, Missing
SSgt Stanley A Andersen ASN 16037725, from Cook Co IL, Missing
SSgt Lilbern D Daly, ASN 37405955, from St Louis MO, Missing
Sgt Elbert J Ravenscraft, ASN 36631511, from Cook Co IL, Missing

-----
*832nd Squadron, 406th Air Service Group

Inscription

832 SQ 406 AIR SV GP

Gravesite Details

Entered the service from Illinois


Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement