Rensch Richard J. “Dick”

Name:

Richard J. “Dick” Rensch

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-2005780

Unit:

360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group

Date of Death:

1945-06-20

State:

Iowa

Cemetery:

Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Plot:

D

Row:

1

Grave:

16

Decoration:

Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Richard J. “Dick” Rensch was born on July 12, 1923, in Madison, South Dakota. He was the son of Harold George Rensch and Gretta Mary Pardy Rensch.

Richard served in the 360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, as a First Lieutenant and was piloting the #44-11577 'Ginny III' at the time of his death. He was killed in an air accident on June 20, 1945, in Wales. He was visiting his brother, a B-17 pilot on his way home from Valley; he had borrowed Lt. R D Schmalz's P-51. His regular aircraft was P-51D #44-15341. After his visit, he climbed to 6000 ft. and executed three slow rolls before disappearing into the overcast. He was seen to exit this in a spiral but was too low for recovery and hit the water about 100 yards offshore.

1Lt Rensch is now buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

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