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
MOS	1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date	16 July 1944
Results	Wounded In Action
Decorations	Awarded 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⇗	Pilot	MIA
2nd Lt. Switzer, Ralph Vincent	Co-pilot	WIA
2nd Lt. Machiz, Irving (NMI)⇗	Navigator	CT
2nd Lt. Gogarty, Thomas Patrick⇗	Bombardier	TR
S/SGT. Harbrecht, Robert Francis⇗	Radio Operator / Gunner	POW
S/SGT. Perry, Gilbert Franklin⇗	Engineer / Top Turret Gunner	POW
SGT. Clary, Leonard Estus⇗	Ball Turret Gunner	POW
SGT. Frederickson, Ralph Louis⇗	Tail Gunner	POW
S/SGT. Amspacher, Ray Richard⇗	Flexible Gunner	POW
SGT. Hall, Horace Homer⇗	Flexible Gunner	CT

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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