Ralph Thomas Bass Jr.
Born 14 July 1923
Died 20 February 1944
Buried Forrest Hill Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN
Staff Sergeant
392nd Bomber Group, 579th Bomber Squadron, 8th Air Force
Aircraft B-24H with serial number 42-7529, Nickname Coral Princess was on a combat mission to Helmstadt, Germany, and was severely damaged from enemy fighter attacks. During an attempted emergency landing at the large English airfield at Manston, the plane exploded while on a landing approach killing all aboard.
Crew members
Pilot, 1st Lt John B. Peyton
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Arthur P. Rueffer
Navigator, 2nd Lt George Gregory
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Herbert E. Demontier
Radio Operator, T/Sgt Daniel Connor Jr.
Engineer, S/Sgt Orivlle L. Smith
Gunner, S/Sgt Ralph T. Bass Jr.
Gunner, Sgt Bernarr J. Berglund
Gunner, S/Sgt Kermit C. LaVick
Gunner, S/Sgt Roy E. Welch
Picture
Kneeling from left to right: T/Sgt Orville L. Smith, S/Sgt Ralph T. Bass Jr., S/Sgt Everett J. Pyecroft, S/Sgt Donald D. Pippitt and S/Sgt Kermit C. LaVick
Standing from left to right: 2nd Lt Arthur P. Rueffer, 2nd Lt David U. Richards, 1st Lt John B. Peyton, 2nd Lt Herbert E Demontier and T/Sgt Daniel Connor Jr.
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 14 July 1923
- Date of death: 20 February 1944
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 392nd Bomber Group, 579th Bomber Squadron, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Burial/Memorial Location: Forest Hills Cemetery, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XI, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Ralph T. Bass Jr.
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