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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.
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 EdwardPilotMIA
2nd Lt. Switzer, Ralph VincentCo-pilotWIA
2nd Lt. Machiz, Irving (NMI)NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Gogarty, Thomas PatrickBombardierTR
S/SGT. Harbrecht, Robert FrancisRadio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Perry, Gilbert FranklinEngineer / Top Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Clary, Leonard EstusBall Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Frederickson, Ralph LouisTail GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Amspacher, Ray RichardFlexible GunnerPOW
SGT. Hall, Horace HomerFlexible 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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