 |
| Staff Sergeant Raymond Ranville was the engineer / top turret gunner on the B-24 Fertile Myrtle. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44890332/raymond-a-ranville http://www.ww2incolor.com/us-air-force/B24-ACTION.html |
Raymond Ranville never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on May 23, 1918 in Michigan. His mother Ellen was also born in Michigan while his father and three of his grandparents were born in Canada. His father worked as a barber. Raymond had three younger brothers and two younger sisters. By 1940 Raymond had completed four years of high school and was working as a heating duct operator and lived at home.
He was drafted into the army on June 5, 1941 and volunteered for the Army Air Forces. He became a staff sergeant in the 724th Bombardment Squadron, 451st Bombardment Group which was equipped with B-24 Liberators. It was sent to Italy in January 1944 and was part of the 15th Air Force.
On August 23, 1944 the 451st BG's 109th mission of the war was to bomb the enemy airdrome in Markersdorf, Austria. Between this mission and the one the day before, the 451st lost 15 planes, the worst outcome for this unit during the war. The Germans had scores of fighters and the Americans were without any fighter coverage of their own. Sgt. Ranville was the engineer/top turret gunner on the Fertile Myrtle on what would be her final mission. The plane was shot down and Sgt. Ranville was listed as missing in action. The other men on the plane survived but two were later killed trying to escape with the remainder becoming prisoners of war. Sgt. Ranville's remains were found at some time because they were sent home in 1950.
His grave is at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Flint, Michigan.
Last year on this date I profiled Ney Wagner, 35th Infantry Division. You can read about Ney here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
I have just now (10-14-18) found this information on my uncle. I have done extensive research on his military carer and appreciate your rememberance of his 100 birthday. My grandmother, at one time had 5 of her 6 children in WWII without really having any ide a where they actually were. Thanks for doing this. Dave Rnville
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Dave Ranville,
ReplyDeleteplease contact me at: kurtrieder@gmx.at
I might have further information about your uncle, the former SSgt. Raymond Ranville
Regards from Austria! - Kurt Rieder