World War II Honoree

Ralph H. Alford

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Old Elam, Alabama

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Staff Sergeant. He was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps May 3, 1942 at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Following his Basic Military Training; he was selected to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. He served as a Right Waist Gunner aboard a B-17 ‘Flying-Fortress’ Bomber, assigned to the 322nd Bomber Squadron, Ninety-First Bomber Group and an element of the U.S. 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ Army Air Forces. His unit was based at the Bassingbourn Royal Air Force Station Location: Cambridgeshire, England. On Monday, September 27, 1943 his bomber was shot-down, during a bombing raid to Emden, Germany. He was able to bail-out, and later captured by the German Armed Forces in the vicinity of Bruchhausen. His captors transferred him to the Prisoner of War Camp, Stalag Luft 17B near Krems, Austria. When the War ended in Europe Tuesday, May 8, 1945 he was sent home aboard the S M Babcock. The Ship departed Liverpool, England and arrived at New York Tuesday, September 19, 1944. He served his Country with Pride and Honor. In his Memory, this American Patriot received the following Decorations: Air Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and his Silver Aviator Badge.