Rolfe Benjamin Gideon

Name:

Benjamin Gideon Rolfe

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-768682

Unit:

601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy

Date of Death:

1944-11-26

State:

Utah

Cemetery:

Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Millcreek, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA

Plot:

Gilcrest 391

Row:

1

Grave:

W

Decoration:

Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart

Comments:

Benjamin Gideon Rolfe was born on November 27, 1919, in Hunter, Salt Lake County, Utah. He was the son of William Benjamin and Mary Ellen Anderson. He was married to Fern Crump Nelson. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot of B-17 #42-102565 nicknamed ''The Ugly Duckling'' during World War II.

On November 26, 1944, the aircraft was lost during a bombing mission over Misburg, Germany. While returning to base, the aircraft sustained severe damage from enemy anti-aircraft fire near Zwolle, Netherlands. The impact caused a runaway propeller, forcing the crew to bail out over the IJsselmeer (then known as the Zuiderzee). Tragically, all nine crew members perished, likely due to hypothermia from the frigid waters.

1Lt Rolfe is now buried in the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, Millcreek, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA. Benjamin G. Rolfe's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 19, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information: b17flyingfortress.de, www.398th.org