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Ralph
Frederick
Perkins
, Jr.
MIA (WWII) KIA
December 31, 1919

–

August 1, 1943

Born:

Marinette

, 

Wisconsin

Home:

Marinette

, 

Wisconsin

Buried: 

Marinette

, 

Wisconsin

Cemetery:

Forest Home Cemetery

Ralph Perkins was a member of the air crew of a B-24 piloted by Clarence Gooden, who earned a Distinguished Service Cross in July 1943. Gooden’s crew flew the August 1, 1943 low-level bombing mission against Ploesti, Romania. bomber was hit by flank and crashed near the refineries. Two members of the crew escaped and were captured by the Germans, but Beaudry and seven other members of the crew were missing in action. Their bodies have never been identified or returned. He was one of six members of the air crew, including the pilot, who was awarded a Silver Star for this mission.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    343d Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    98th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 1, 1943
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 62 (July 13, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ralph Frederick Perkins, Jr. (ASN: 0-667422), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Navigator of a B-24 Liberator Bomber of the 343d Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations during the low-level bombing mission against the Oil Refineries at Ploesti, Romania, on 1 August 1943. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, he flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Perkins, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.