Ries Robert P.

Name:

Robert P. Ries

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

35669582

Unit:

506th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group

Date of Death:

1944-06-27

State:

Ohio

Cemetery:

Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France

Plot:

B

Row:

33

Grave:

8

Decoration:

Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart

Comments:

Robert P. Ries was born on March 14, 1922, in Latonia, Kenton County, Kentucky. He was the son of Phillip Anton Ries and Maria Catherine Hagenseker Ries. He served in the 506th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Right Waist Gunner of B-24H #41-29496 nicknamed "Ram It Dammit'' during World War II.

On June 27, 1944, the aircraft was downed over France during a bombing mission targeting the area south of Creil. It had departed earlier that day from Station 115 in Shipdham, Norfolk, UK. At 19:12, it was struck by anti-aircraft fire and exploded in midair above the plateau of Creil before the crew could complete their evacuation. Two parachutes ignited as they deployed. The crash site was located near Les Haies, within the commercial zone of Saint-Maximin, roughly 500 meters southwest of Creil.

SSgt Ries was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial, Epinal, Departement des Vosges, Lorraine, France.

Source of information: http://francecrashes39-45.net/