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Ralph N. Warne was born in 1921, and according to a 1930 census, the family lived on Elm Avenue in Hackensack; then, they moved to Panghorn Place in Hackensack in 1940. Ralph enlisted into the Army Air Force January 3, 1942 and served with what was known as the “Hells Angels”, the 427th squadron 303rd Bomb Group. While flying a B17 Flying Fortress, which the crew had named the Cheshire Cat over Langendreer Germany they were hit and Ralph N. Warne was Killed in Action. Others died and some survived the emergency crash landing and became POW’s. Here is the account as researched by 303rd BGA Historian Harry D. Gobrecht. (KIA-POW) - On 16 February 1945 mission #316 to Langendreer, Germany in B-17G #43-39081 (no name) (427th BS) GN-G. Two bomb runs were made when the Gee-H equipment in the lead B-17 failed on the first bomb run and the target couldn't be identified visually. #43-39081 received a direct flak hit in its #1 engine. The engine came off and hit the fuselage near the waist window. It blew a hole in the fuselage and then fell away. The B-17 was momentarily out of control just after the hit, but Lt Wertz (P) regained control. When last seen the aircraft was losing altitude and lagging behind the formation. (*) DFC Medals were presented to these crewmembers for their heroic action on this mission. Medals were presented at a special ceremony at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum, Pooler, GA on 16 March 1997. Kenneth A. Bennett was posthumously awarded the Click here to view story of flight and crew. Written by: |