World War II Honoree

Ralph Leland Minker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Wilmington, Delaware

Honored By

Sandra O'Connell

Relationship

Wife

PILOT OF THE BLUE HEN CHICK, B-17G FLYING OUT OF RATTLESDEN, ENGLAND OCTOBER 1944 TO MAY 1945, 709TH BOMB SQUADRON, 447TH BOMB GROUP. COMPLETED 35 MISSIONS. RECEIVED LUCKY BASTARD AWARD IN FEBRUARY 1945, YOUNGEST PILOT IN 447TH TO DO SO. SIGNED UP FOR 2ND TOUR OF DUTY, PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN IN MAY, FLEW OPERATION CHOWHOUND AND OPERATION LIBERTY AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR.