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Knowles, Ralph Sheridan, Jr

Individual Personnel Data
Name Knowles, Ralph Sheridan, Jr   
Rank Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 11107877   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #72 dated 16 April 1944, effective 16 April 1944.
Duty Ball Turret Gunner / Flexible Gunner
MOS748 - Army Airplane Mechanic / Gunner, Flight Engineer
Last Duty Date 17 August 1944
Results Completed Tour, Returned to USA
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 24 April 1944 per General Orders #73, Headquarters 1st Bomb Division dated 1 June 1944.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 31 March 1924
  • Also served several combat missions as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner.
  • Promoted to Staff Sergeant on AAF Station 106 Special Orders #93 dated 19 May 1944.
  • Promoted to Technical Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #141 dated 19 July 1944.
  • Granted a five day convalescent furlough effective 28 July 1944 per 546th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 28 July 1944.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Meland, Ralph WendellPilotCT
2nd Lt. Endelicato, Marion (NMI)Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Marttila, Walter Konstantin, "Shorty"NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Mechling, Robert PaulBombardierCT
S/SGT. Schmitz, Michael AdamRadio Operator / GunnerCT
S/SGT. Jobe, Gordon RayEngineer / Top Turret GunnerTR
SGT. Knowles, Ralph Sheridan, JrBall Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Sinski, Ignatius J, "Jimski"Tail GunnerCT
SGT. Turner, William EugeneFlexible GunnerCT
SGT. Builta, William BFlexible GunnerCT

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 32 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
95 25 April 1944 Target: Metz-Frescaty Airdrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Metz, France
Ball Turret 42‑37776 Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, on return due to low fuel.
Sortie Report
96 27 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France
Ball Turret 42‑37776 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back due to inability to catch up to formation.
Sortie Report
98 29 April 1944 Target: Industrial District
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑97081 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
99 1 May 1944 Target: Launch Site in Foret Nationale de Tournehem
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Foret Nationale de Tournehem, France
Ball Turret 42‑97251 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
100 4 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑97178 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
101 7 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑107083 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
102 8 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑97201 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
106 12 May 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑97251 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
107 13 May 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly Components Factory.
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Poznań, Poland
Ball Turret 42‑97142 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron, high composite group, 41st CBW.
Sortie Report
109 19 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Industrial Area
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑97273 Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report
111 21 May 1944 Target: NOBALL (Supergun Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Mimoyecques, France
Ball Turret 42‑102501 Combat Mission Credit
Group A.
Sortie Report
114 24 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Military Installations
Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑97251 Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report
132 10 June 1944 Target: Chateau Bougon Airfield (41A) & Vannes Airfield (41B)
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nantes & Vannes, France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑97139 Combat Mission Credit
41A Group, Group Deputy. Did not attack target due to total failure of bomb racks; bomb load jettisoned shortly after target.
Sortie Report
133 12 June 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge 48°29'N,2°0'W
Type: Transportation
Location: La Vicomté-sur-Rance, France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑97251 Combat Mission Credit
High Group Deputy. Ground Spare Aircraft. Replaced 42‑97139.
Sortie Report
134 13 June 1944 Target: Dreux Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dreux, France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑97273 Combat Mission Credit
Low Group, High Squadron Lead. Landed away at RAF Stansted, Essex, on return, due to bad weather.
Sortie Report
135 14 June 1944 Target: Coulommiers Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Coulommiers, France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑97139 Combat Mission Credit
41B Wing, Lead Group, Wing Deputy.
Sortie Report
136 15 June 1944 Target: Railroad Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: La Possonnièrre, France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑38014 Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Lead.
Sortie Report
142 21 June 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Industrial Area
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑102933 Combat Mission Credit
Composite High Group Deputy.
Sortie Report
146 25 June 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge & Embankment
Type: Transportation
Location: Sens, France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑102933 Combat Mission Credit
High group lead, 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
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑97824 Combat Mission Credit
Group lead, 41st B section. Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report
151 6 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Coubronne, France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑97948 Combat Mission Credit
High section lead, high group.
Sortie Report
154 8 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Renescure, France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑102933 Combat Mission Credit
High group lead.
Sortie Report
160 18 July 1944 Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde & Zinnowitz, Germany
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑102933 Combat Mission Credit
41B Group, Group Lead.
Sortie Report
161 19 July 1944 Target: Hydrogen Peroxide Plant
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Höllriegelskreuth District, Pullach, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑102501 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
163 21 July 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑102933 Combat Mission Credit
Low group lead.
Sortie Report
164 24 July 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: La Chapelle en Juger & Hébécrevon, France
Ball Turret 42‑102601 Combat Mission Credit
High section deputy, lead group.
Sortie Report
165 25 July 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: Montreuil-sur-Lozon, Le Châtel,
& La Chapelle en Juger, France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑102933 Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Lead.
Sortie Report
167 29 July 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany
Ball Turret 42‑102501 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
170 3 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury, Flers, Fiefs, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑102933 Combat Mission Credit
H Group Lead.
Sortie Report
172 4 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Crepieul, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑38014 Combat Mission Credit
Low section deputy.
Sortie Report
174 7 August 1944 Target: Aircraft Fuel Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dugny (Paris), France
Engineer/Top Turret 42‑102933 Combat Mission Credit
High group lead.
Sortie Report
175 8 August 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: Bretteville-sur-Laize, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97251 Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report
177 11 August 1944 Target: Tactical: Coastal Artillery Emplacements
Type: Military
Location: Brest, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97986 Combat Mission Credit
High group lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report

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