US Air Force Official Record for Sgt. Jasper J. Richardson

Tietojen antaja:

Jasper enlisted in the Army on 14 October 1942. His squadron was based in Washington and California before being sent overseas to be based in England. He was a waist gunner, serving with the crew of B-17 tail # 43-38363.

From September through November, 1944, Jasper flew 13 missions over different parts of Germany. Several of his missions were ad-hoc, on-the-fly runs where his plane was tasked with targeting German forces in front of invading Allied troops from Western France to Germany. Specific targets that his plane few over included:

Oberwestal, Ebenheim

Ludwigshaven

Weisbaden

Munster

Merseburg

Hamburg

His aircraft was shot down while on a bombing mission on Nov 5, 1944 over Ludwigshafen, Germany (near Manheim). From the official record:

B-17G 43-38363 E/F Missing in Action Ludwigshaven, flak. Just after bombs away, this aircraft received a direct hit which destroyed the tail section. The plane went into a steep climb to the right, then into a flat spin. Then the aircraft went into a steep dive. Two chutes were reported. Crashed Ludwigshaven. With7BS. Pilot: Alleman. Missing Air Crew Report # 10303. 10 Killed in Action.

At the time of his death, his squadron was based in Mendelsham, UK.

For more information see:

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/113895

http://www.johnfunk.com/WWII/MendleshamMemories/

http://valortovictory.tripod.com/1944-11.htm