Son of Isidore Krug and Herma.

Killed in action in Operation Tidal Wave - the bombing of the Ploesti, Romania oil fields.

"Suburbanite Economist" Newspaper (Chicago, Illinois) 19 Sep 1943, Page 2;

'Citation Awaits Flier Missing in Rumanian Raid - Mother Receives Letter From General Praising Son.

Mrs. Herma Krug, 7359 Aberdeen st., whose son. Lt. Richard M. Krug, has been missing in action since an army air force bombing raid in August on the Rumanian oil refineries, recently received a letter from his commanding officer, Brig.-Gen. U. G. Ent, telling her of an award for him and of "his gallantry, devotion to duty and steadfastness of purpose in accomplishing the most difficult mission ever assigned to our air force."

"Great Hero of This War."

"I have made the recommendation of an award for Lt. Krug's deeds which has been approved by General Brereton. You will hear more of this at a future date."

"Lieutenant Krug is one of the great heroes of this war, his name has been indelibly written in our country's history," the brigadier-general added.

Lieutenant Krug has been listed as missing in action since the Liberator bomber on which he was navigator failed to return from a raid over the Rumanian oil fields. Prior to this time he had been stationed for three months in Egypt.

Leader at Calumet.

An honor student at Calumet high school, the lieutenant enlisted in the national guard three months before his graduation in June, 1940, and joined the air corps the next month. He was president of the All-Calumet Civic league student governing body while in his senior year at Calumet.'

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Record (www.ancestry.com): Name: Richard M Krug; Birth Year: 1922; Race: White, citizen (White); Nativity State or Country: Illinois; State of Residence: Illinois; County or City: Cook; Enlistment Date: 19 Jul 1940; Enlistment State: Illinois; Enlistment City: Chanute Filed; Branch: Air Corps; Branch Code: Air Corps; Grade: Private; Grade Code: Private; Term of Enlistment: Three year enlistment; Component: Regular Army (including Officers, Nurses, Warrant Officers, and Enlisted Men); Source: Civil Life; Education: 4 years of high school; Marital Status: Single, without dependents; Height: 69; Weight: 145.

The Ploesti Roster (www.ploesti.com/roster.pdf): Name: Richard M. Krug; Second Lieutenant; Point of Enlistment or Home Town: Chicago, Illinois; Air Duty: Navigator; Pilot: Robert W. Horton; Unit: 389BG–389th Bomb. Group (Heavy), Sky Scorpions; Status: Killed in Action; Information Source: Correspondence with/about.

U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead (www.ancestry.com): Name: Richard M Krug; Gender: Male; Race: White; Religion: Protestant; Cemetery Name: Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska; Disposition: Administrative Decision; Service Branch: Army; Rank: Second Lieutenant; Service Number: 736871.

Richard M. Krug

DATE OF BIRTH: 1922

PLACE OF BIRTH:

Chicago, Illinois

HOME OF RECORD:

Chicago, Illinois

A total of 5 Medals of Honor and 56 Distinguished Service Crosses, among numerous other awards, were awarded for the August 1, 1943 low-level bombing mission of the Ploesti Oil Refineries, ranking it as perhaps the single-most decorated combat air mission of World War II. Second Lieutenant Krug was part of an air crew under Lieutenant Robert Horton. All ten members of the crew were awarded the DSC for this mission. Nine of the ten men on this bomber were killed or listed as missing in action, and the one survivor was captured and held as a Prisoner of War.

Distinguished Service Cross

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS

DURING World War II

Service: Army Air Forces

Battalion: 566th Bombardment Squadron

Division: 9th Air Force (Attached)

GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 89 (1943)

CITATION:

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard M. Krug (ASN: 0-736871), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Navigator on a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 566th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Second Lieutenant Krug acquitted himself with great skill as his aircraft flew through one of the most heavily defended areas of Europe. When the plane on which he served was severely damaged he continued on, in the face of almost insurmountable odds. Over the blazing target, Lieutenant Krug, with heroic calm and unflinching loyalty, remained steadfast at his station. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Krug on this occasion, at the cost of his life, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.