Switzer, Ralph Vincent

Individual Personnel Data
Name Switzer, Ralph Vincent
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-704388
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #113 dated 15 June 1944, effective 15 June 1944.
  • Transferred to the Detachment of Patients, 4211 US Army Hospital Plant, APO 350, per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 14 August 1944, effective 9 August 1944.
Duty Co-pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 16 July 1944
Results Wounded In Action
DecorationsAwarded the Purlpe Heart medal for wounds received on 16 July 1944 per General Orders #203, Headquarters, 1st Bomb Division dated 30 July 1944.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 3 March 1921
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Pluhar, Emil Edward⇗PilotMIA
2nd Lt. Switzer, Ralph VincentCo-pilotWIA
2nd Lt. Machiz, Irving (NMI)⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Gogarty, Thomas Patrick⇗BombardierTR
S/SGT. Harbrecht, Robert Francis⇗Radio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Perry, Gilbert Franklin⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Clary, Leonard Estus⇗Ball Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Frederickson, Ralph Louis⇗Tail GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Amspacher, Ray Richard⇗Flexible GunnerPOW
SGT. Hall, Horace Homer⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 10 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
145⇗ 24 June 1944 Target: German Vacuum Oil Company
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Oslebshausen (Bremen area), Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
146⇗ 25 June 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge & Embankment
Type: Transportation
Location: Sens, France 		Co-pilot 42‑102566⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy, low group, 41st A wing.
Sortie Report⇗
147⇗ 27 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Storage Depot)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Saint-Martin-L'Hortier, France 		Co-pilot 42‑102442⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41st A section.
Sortie Report⇗
148⇗ 28 June 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Juvincourt (Juvincourt-et-Damary), France 		Co-pilot 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group, 41st B wing. Landed away at Boxted, AAF Station 150, on return due to weather.
Sortie Report⇗
149⇗ 30 June 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Montdidier, France 		Co-pilot 42‑97309⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy, low group.
Sortie Report⇗
150⇗ 4 July 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dreux (Conches-en-Ouche), France 		Co-pilot 42‑102430⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead group flying spare; joined formation. Due to a mechanical failure in the bomb bay, could not release bombs.
Sortie Report⇗
154⇗ 8 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Renescure, France 		Co-pilot 42‑97309⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group.
Sortie Report⇗
155⇗ 11 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97271⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
156⇗ 12 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑97271⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back due to failure of #2 engine.
Sortie Report⇗
157⇗ 13 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑102430⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report⇗
158⇗ 16 July 1944 Target: Aero Engine Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑102430⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron Hot Camera Ship.
Sortie Report⇗

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