Laverne D. Ridge served in the 422nd Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier on B-17 43-38973 during World War II.

On the 15th of December 1944, B-17G Flying Fortress 43-38973 of the 305th Bomb Group, 422nd Bombardment Squadron based at Chelveston, was returning from a bombing mission over the marshaling yards at Kassel in Germany. It had been badly damaged, and one engine was out. The aircraft managed to return from the raid but once over the coast, it began to have difficulty in maintaining height. The problems were compounded by a complete blanket of fog over England.

Not sure of their position, they flew lower and lower and eventually collided with the Air Ministry GEE mast on Borough Hill, Daventry. The port wing was severed during the collision, and the aircraft crashed at Norton Fields, killing the crew of nine.

2Lt Ridge's burial place is unknown.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, https://www.sywellaviationmuseum.org.uk