Meland, Ralph Wendell

Individual Personnel Data
Name Meland, Ralph Wendell
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-810915
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 Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 13 August 1944
Results Completed Combat Tour
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 30 April 1916
  • Granted a five day leave effective 28 July 1944 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #149 dated 27 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 Paul⇗BombardierCT
S/SGT. Schmitz, Michael Adam⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
S/SGT. Jobe, Gordon Ray⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerTR
SGT. Knowles, Ralph Sheridan, Jr⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Sinski, Ignatius J, "Jimski"⇗Tail GunnerCT
SGT. Turner, William Eugene⇗Flexible GunnerCT
SGT. Builta, William B⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 31 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
92⇗ 20 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France 		Co-pilot 42‑97251⇗ Combat Mission Credit
A Wing, High Group, High Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
93⇗ 22 April 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑31211⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead, high group.
Sortie Report⇗
95⇗ 25 April 1944 Target: Metz-Frescaty Airdrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Metz, France 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 42‑97251⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
101⇗ 7 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Pilot 42‑107083⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
102⇗ 8 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97201⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
106⇗ 12 May 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97251⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
107⇗ 13 May 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly Components Factory.
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Poznań, Poland 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report⇗
111⇗ 21 May 1944 Target: NOBALL (Supergun Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Mimoyecques, France 		Pilot 42‑102501⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group A.
Sortie Report⇗
114⇗ 24 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Military Installations
Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97251⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report⇗
117⇗ 28 May 1944 Target: Junkers Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Dessau, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97251⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
120⇗ 30 May 1944 Target: Aircraft Hangars and Repair Sheds
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
129⇗ 6 June 1944 Target: Highway Choke Point in City of Caen
Type: Transportation
Location: Caen, France 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
131⇗ 8 June 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards (41C) & Loire River Railroad Bridge (41D)
Type: Transportation
Location: Orleans, France 		Pilot 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41D Group, Low Squadron Lead. Bombed Primary Target.
Sortie Report⇗
132⇗ 10 June 1944 Target: Chateau Bougon Airfield (41A) & Vannes Airfield (41B)
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nantes & Vannes, France 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
138⇗ 18 June 1944 Target: Ölwerke Julius Humbles
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑107121⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
140⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Pilot 42‑107125⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
142⇗ 21 June 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Industrial Area
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102933⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Composite High Group Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
146⇗ 25 June 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge & Embankment
Type: Transportation
Location: Sens, France 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 42‑97824⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead, 41st B section. Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report⇗
150⇗ 4 July 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dreux (Conches-en-Ouche), France 		Pilot 42‑102933⇗ Weather aircraft; remainder of crew (CP, N, RO, Eng) not identified
Sortie Report⇗
154⇗ 8 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Renescure, France 		Pilot 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 		Pilot 42‑102933⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group, Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
163⇗ 21 July 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Schwäbisch Hall, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102933⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
165⇗ 25 July 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: Montreuil-sur-Lozon, Le Châtel,
& La Chapelle en Juger, France 		Pilot 42‑102933⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
174⇗ 7 August 1944 Target: Aircraft Fuel Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dugny (Paris), France 		Pilot 42‑102933⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group lead.
Sortie Report⇗

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