Ellis Richard Fred

Name:

Richard Fred Ellis

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-926771

Unit:

603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1945-03-14

State:

New York

Cemetery:

Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium

Plot:

B

Row:

40

Grave:

48

Decoration:

Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Richard Fred Ellis was born on May 27, 1924, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of B-17 #43-37825 during World War II.

On March 14, 1945, the aircraft was part of a bombing mission targeting Osnabrück, Germany. During the mission, it was struck by anti-aircraft flak in the number three engine. The damage caused the aircraft to descend and eventually explode mid-air, crashing near Icker, north of Osnabrück. Five crew members were Killed in Action, while the remaining four survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

2Lt Ellis was killed in action and is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium. Richard F. Ellis' name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 25, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, carryingfire.blogspot.com, www.398th.org