World War II Honoree

Ralph Wayne Gilbert

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Atlanta, Texas

Honored By

Matthew Gilbert

Relationship

Grandson

TECHNICAL SERGEANT, SERVED AS THE ENGINEER, TOP TURRET GUNNER, AND INSTRUCTOR ON A B-17 FLYING FORTRESS. HE COMPLETED 30 MISSIONS OVER EUROPE WITH THE 708TH SQUADRON, 447TH BOMB GROUP, 8TH AIR FORCE. ON OCTOBER 2, 1944, DURING HIS 25TH MISSION, HIS AIRCRAFT WAS SHOT DOWN OVER BELGIUM. HE AND HIS CREW PARACHUTED TO SAFETY. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AIR MEDAL WITH 3 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND 3 BATTLE STARS, AND THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.