Roy W. Gripne was born on February 3, 1920, in Staples, Minnesota. He was the son of Henry Gripne.

Roy resided in Todd County, Minnesota prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 29, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Driver and also as Married.

Roy served in the 849th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Right Waist Gunner on the B-17 #43-38135 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on April 19, 1945, when his airplane was shot down by a jet enemy aircraft. His plane crashed in Marienburg, Germany, which resulted in the death of 7 men aboard while two men were taken as prisoners.

Sgt Gripne is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium.

B-17 #43-38135 crew:
1Lt William McCallister - Pilot (KIA)
Lt Glen Howard - Co-Pilot (POW)
2Lt Billy Swearengin - Navigator (KIA)
2Lt James Cook - Bombardier/Flight Engineer (KIA)
Sgt Roy Gripne - Right Waist Gunner (KIA)
Tsgt Sidney Iglitzen - Top Turret Gunner
Cpl Laurence Boekeloo - Ball Turret Gunner (KIA)
Cpl William Weales - Radio Operator (KIA)
Cpl Paul Webb - Tail Gunner (POW)

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, www.americanairmuseum.com