Riches, George William

SILVER STAR (posthumous). GEORGE W. RICHES, O-733727, First Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For gallantry in action while piloting a B-17 aircraft over Germany, 25 June 1943. Encountering dense clouds and rain enroute to the target, Lieutenant Riches' Group was ordered to disperse and reform above the clouds. Only eight (8) planes were successful in getting through to the rendezvous point. After crossing into hostile territory, approximately one-hundred and fifty (150) enemy fighters, quick to observe the Group's tactical disadvantage, attacked in such force that the small formation scattered. Refusing to seek the protection of friendly groups withdrawing from the target, Lieutenant Riches tenaciously held his course and bombed the objective. By this time enemy fighters and flak had set the the plane afire, killed the co-pilot and practically severed Lieutenant Riches' right arm. Ordering the crew to bail out, he remained at the controls, using his one good hand to keep the plane in level flight. before he could abandon the doomed aircraft it exploded in mid-air. Lieutenant Riches lost his life, but the courage, determination and devotion to duty he exhibited in completing his assigned mission, and in placing the safety of others before his own, will remain a constant source of inspiration to all members of his organization. Next of kin: Mr. Bryant W. Riches, Route 1, Deshler, Ohio.

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