World War II Honoree

Richard Burchan Ferris

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Nyack, New York

Honored By

Anna E. Ferris

Relationship

Sister

SERVED AS A SQUADRON FLIGHT COMMANDER WITH THE TACTICAL 418TH NIGHT FIGHTER SQUADRON, 5TH FIGHTER COMMAND OF THE 5TH AIR FORCE. THE 418TH WAS ONE OF THE FIRST SQUADRONS TO USE AIRBORNE RADAR. HE FLEW EARLY MORNING COVER FOR CONVOYS AND STRAFED ENEMY INSTALLATIONS, AIRSTRIPS, ANTI-AIRCRAFT POSITIONS AND BARGE LANDINGS. HE ALSO FLEW NIGHT INTRUDER MISSIONS STAYING ALOFT AIRFIELDS WAITING FOR THE RETURN OF ENEMY BOMBERS AND STRAFED AND HARASSED ENEMY TROOPS. TOOK PART IN THE RECAPTURE OF THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS, WHICH SERVED AS AN IMPORTANT NAVAL BASE IN THE CONQUEST OF THE REST OF NEW GUINEA AND FOR THE ADVANCE TO THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. COMPLETED OVER 60 COMBAT MISSIONS. WHILE FLIGHT TESTING A P-47, HE REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF 500 FEET OVER LANGEMARK BAY, NEW GUINEA, THE AIRCRAFT EXPLODED TAKING HIS LIFE.