World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Richard J. Case
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Emmet County, Michigan
Honored By
Sam E. Pennartz
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 13 APRIL 1942 AT GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN. SERVED AS A PILOT ONBOARD A B-17 FLYING FORTRESS ASSIGNED TO THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 94TH COMBAT WING, 351ST BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 510TH BOMB SQUADRON (RADIO CALL SIGN TIPSTAFF), AT ROYAL AIR FORCE POLEBROOK (USAAF STATION # 110), LOCATED ON THE ROTHSCHILD COUNTRY ESTATE IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, ENGLAND. ON TUESDAY 11 JANUARY 1944, WHILE ON HIS 70TH COMBAT MISSION ABOARD THE B-17 AIRCRAFT TAIL # 42-31481, HE WAS SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT. THEY WERE ON A BOMB RUN TO AN AIRCRAFT FACTORY IN OSCHERSLEBEN, GERMANY. HE WAS CAPTURED AND HELD AS A PRISONER OF WAR IN STALAG LUFT 1 BARTH-VOGELSANG, PRUSSIA.