World War II Honoree

Ralph Peters

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Ohio

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

HE WAS THE PILOT OF A B-17 SHOT DOWN BY ANTI AIRCRAFT FIRE ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1944 DURING A MISSION TO BOMB A TIGER TANK FACTORY IN KASSEL, GERMANY. A MEMBER OF THE 'FAMES FAVORED FEW' 326TH SQUADRON OF THE 92ND BOMB GROUP. FOUR CREW MEMBERS BAILED OUT SAFELY, BUT HE REFUSED TO ABANDON THE OTHER PILOT WHOSE LEGS HAD BEEN SHOT AWAY AND COULD NOT BAIL OUT. HE REMAINED ON BOARD ALONG WITH THE BOMBARDIER, THE NAVIGATOR AND A GUNNER TO RENDER ASSISTANCE BY FLYING THE BADLY DAMAGED AND BURNING BOMBER, WITH ONLY ONE OF FOUR ENGINES WORKING, AND CRASH LANDED IT NEAR KIEL, GERMANY. HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER AND SENT TO STALAG LUFT 1.