Ralph Leslie Hall, of Cleveland, Ohio, was born on July 6, 1921. He served in the 701st Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Co-Pilot on the B-24 #42-95280 'Square Dance' during World War II.

On June 27, 1944, at 04:30 PM, his crew took off at Station 124 airfield in Tibenham, England, on a mission to bomb the marshaling yard and air base in Creil, France. At 07:45 PM, their airplane was shot down by flak, exploded in flight, and crashed into the castle park in Mello, France. Four members died in this incident, two were taken as prisoners, and four members evaded capture. 2Lt Hall was one of the evadees. He was one of the 152 allied airmen and soldiers who were helped and hidden in the Freteval Forest camp by the French Resistance to evade German capture.

2Lt Hall also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He attained his highest rank in the United States Air Force as a Major. He died on August 27, 1975, at the age of 54, and is now buried in the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net