Richard Samuel Trantham was born on April 2, 1923, in Missouri. He was the son of J. W. Trantham and Susan B. Campbell Trantham. He served in the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, as a Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B-17 #42-107103 nicknamed ''Maria Notre Dame'' during World War II.

On September 10, 1944, "Marie Notre Dame" was assigned to a bombing mission targeting Gaggenau, Germany. Just seconds before releasing its bombs, the aircraft sustained a direct hit from anti-aircraft flak, resulting in catastrophic damage. The B-17 crashed near Bautzen, close to Stuttgart-Münster, Germany. Tragically, five crew members were killed in action. The remaining four survived and were captured by German forces, becoming prisoners of war.

Sgt Trantham was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France. Richard S. Trantham's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 13, in the bottom left wing (section C).

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