World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Richard C. Gingras
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Turners Falls, Massachusetts
Honored By
Wife, Son, Daughter & Grandchildren
TECHNICAL SERGEANT; RADIO OPERATOR, TECHNICAL GUNNER. RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, POW MEDAL, AIR MEDAL WITH 1 OAK LEAF CLUSTER, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE-EASTERN CAMPAIGN RIBBON WITH 3 STARS. COMPLETED 22 COMBAT MISSIONS (220 COMBAT HOURS) IN B-17 FLYING FORTRESS BOMBER OVER GERMANY AND OCCUPIED TERRITORY, 15TH AIR FORCE, 483RD BOMB GROUP, 817TH SQUADRON. SERVED AS AERIAL GUNNER DURING COMBAT. ON 23RD MISSION, PARACHUTED FROM DOWNED PLANE, OBTAINED FLAK WOUND IN RIGHT SHIN, CAPTURED IN BERLIN AND WAS POW IN STALAG LUFT I UNTIL END OF WAR.