Edwin Ruthven Follett was born on June 2, 1921, in McGregor, Aitkin County, Minnesota. He was the son of George Elbridge Follett and Edith Lucy Jennings Follett. He was married to Ruth Delores Rossman Follett. He served in the 344th Bomber Squadron, 98th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Radio and Nose Turret Gunner of B-24 #42-73416 during World War II.

On May 29, 1944, the aircraft participated in a bombing raid over Wiener Neustadt, Austria, a key center for German military aircraft production during World War II. While carrying out the mission, the B-24 came under enemy attack and was shot down over Austrian territory. It eventually crashed near the town of Fischbach, located in the state of Styria (Steiermark). Four crew members lost their lives in the crash, while the others survived and were taken prisoner by German forces.

SSgt Follett was captured and held as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III in Sagan-Silesia, Bavaria. He ended his military service as a Technical Sergeant. He died on June 9, 1989, and is now buried in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA.

Source of information: mail.aviation-safety.net, aad.archives.gov, www.findagrave.com