Joseph A. Ricciardo was born in 1924 in Ohio. He was the son of Cono Ricciardo and Anna Ricciardo. He resided in Licking County, Ohio prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on January 12, 1943 in Columbus, Ohio. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Sales clerk and also as Single, without dependents. Joseph served as a Technical Sergeant and Radio Operator on B-17G #42-102862, 817th Bomber Squadron, 483rd Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

B-17G #42-102862 took off from Sterparone, Italy on a bombing mission over Memmingen, Germany on July 18, 1944. Prior to "bombs away" they, along with 6 other B-17's, were attacked by an overwhelming number of German fighter aircraft. B-17G #42-102862, along with other B-17's, were shot down and crashed near Memmingen. He is now buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. His name is listed on a group headstone because his remains are comingled with those of his crewmates.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com