Ronald served as a Second Lieutenant & Pilot on B-17G "Lucky Strike" (#42-31258), 334th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in California prior to the war.

Ronald was "Killed In Action" when his B-17 was hit by enemy flak and crashed near Ercuis, Belgium during the war. He was was awarded the Purple Heart.

Four members of the crew were Killed In Action (see below), two evaded capture and four became Prisoner's Of War.

He was interred, side by side, with one other member of his crew here at the Epinal American Cemetery.

Service # O-753947

Son of Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Thompson who resided in Monterey Park, California.

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Airmen who perished on on B-17G (#42-31258):
Manahan, Blaine R ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, Illinois
Thompson, Ronald E ~ 2nd Lt, Pilot, California

Above Info on Bomber Crew Members being interred "Side By Side" at Epinal submitted by Dwight "Andy" Anderson.

Airmen who perished on B-17G (#42-31258) and are interred in other locations:
Enstrom, Everett T ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator, Minnesota
(Everett is also interred in Epinal)
Moedebeck, Robert W ~ Sgt, Right Waist Gunner, New Jersey

Airmen who became POW's from B-17G (#42-31258):
Hedlund, John W ~ 1st Lt, Bombardier
Justice, Grady T ~ Radio Operator
Dearing, William L ~ Ball Turret Gunner
Hanrahan, James E ~ Left Waist Gunner

Airmen who evaded capture from B-17G (#42-31258):
Golke, Clifford G ~ T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner, Wisconsin
Hard, Cletus S ~ S/Sgt, Tail Gunner

( Bio & Crew Report by: Russell S. "Russ" Pickett )

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Ronald served as a Second Lieutenant & Pilot on B-17G "Lucky Strike" (#42-31258), 334th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in California prior to the war.

Ronald was "Killed In Action" when his B-17 was hit by enemy flak and crashed near Ercuis, Belgium during the war. He was was awarded the Purple Heart.

Four members of the crew were Killed In Action (see below), two evaded capture and four became Prisoner's Of War.

He was interred, side by side, with one other member of his crew here at the Epinal American Cemetery.

Service # O-753947

Son of Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Thompson who resided in Monterey Park, California.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Airmen who perished on on B-17G (#42-31258):
Manahan, Blaine R ~ 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot, Illinois
Thompson, Ronald E ~ 2nd Lt, Pilot, California

Above Info on Bomber Crew Members being interred "Side By Side" at Epinal submitted by Dwight "Andy" Anderson.

Airmen who perished on B-17G (#42-31258) and are interred in other locations:
Enstrom, Everett T ~ 2nd Lt, Navigator, Minnesota
(Everett is also interred in Epinal)
Moedebeck, Robert W ~ Sgt, Right Waist Gunner, New Jersey

Airmen who became POW's from B-17G (#42-31258):
Hedlund, John W ~ 1st Lt, Bombardier
Justice, Grady T ~ Radio Operator
Dearing, William L ~ Ball Turret Gunner
Hanrahan, James E ~ Left Waist Gunner

Airmen who evaded capture from B-17G (#42-31258):
Golke, Clifford G ~ T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner, Wisconsin
Hard, Cletus S ~ S/Sgt, Tail Gunner

( Bio & Crew Report by: Russell S. "Russ" Pickett )

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