Ralph Jay Workman
MilitaryRalph Workman was Tail Gunner on B-17 #42-38009, shot down on 15 June 1944. Crashed Coimères, near Bazas, France. Helped by French citizens and members of the Maquis. Crossed the Pyrénées mountains into Spain on 5 August, reached Gibraltar on the 14th and was flown from there on 16 August 1944, landing in England on the same day. Evaded (EVD). Escape & Evasion Report E&E 1032. Ralph Workman was killed instantly and his wife, brother and sister-in-law were critically injured near Macon, Georgia on 4 November 1960 when the car he was riding in with his family was struck head-on by a drunken driver.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39544259
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16088694
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15171172
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18137802 at enlistment, then T-123005
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 42011295 at the time of enlistment, then O-815102
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 15 June 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
10 February 1922 | ||
|
Enlisted |
19 November 1942 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | |
|
Other Bailed out |
15 June 1944 | south of Bordeaux, France, of B-17 #42-38009 hit by Flak | |
|
Other Landed in parachute |
15 June 1944 | ||
|
Other Evaded capture |
15 June 1944 - 14 August 1944 | with the help of French citizens and members of the Maquis | |
|
Died |
4 November 1960 | in a car accident in Macon, Georgia | |
|
Born |
Muskegon, Michigan |
Revisions
Updated my fathers duty station after reading his own report after returning to their base. Ralph Jay Workman Jr.
Ralph Workman was indeed Ball Turret gunner on B-17 #38009, lost on 15 June 1944. It was his first mission. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 5799. Donald Graham was the Tail Gunner (see his page, as well as Charles Brashear's and Simon Wilczek's on this site for confirmation).
Ralph Workman was my father. We were always told he was a tail gunner
MACR 5799
NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft Card
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 1032
https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/148873837/ralph-jay-workman
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 5799 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / www.381st.org/UnitHistory/Data/Roster.aspx