Scott Brewer Ritchie
MilitaryRitchie was one of 18 members of the USMA Class of 1943 assigned directly to the 416th BG upon graduation
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 668th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Nicknames: Winsome Winnie
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 669th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 668th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 668th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Elizabeth City, Virginia | 3 December 1919 | |
|
Other First 416th BG Combat Mission |
Vacquerie, France | 18 March 1944 | |
|
Other Final 416th BG Combat Mission |
Cherbourg, France | 22 June 1944 | |
|
Died |
Approximately 1 mile NW of RAF Cottesmore Airfield, UK | 30 June 1944 | Pilot's mission: Returning to home base after participating in practice chemical mission. Nature of accident: Plane went into a very steep left turn and crashed, bursting into flames. Cause of accident: Engine failure immediately after take-off. Narrative: At 1323, 30 June 1944, Lt. Ritchie took off in A-20G035 ACSN 43-10194 to return to his home station after having participated in a practice smoke mission. He took off on runway to the southwest and had completed a left turn approximately half way around the field when the airplane was observerd to go into a very steep left turn and crash. It burst into flames upon impact with the ground. The aircraft was scattered over a distance of approximately 350 yards. The wreckage was examined to determine the cause of the accident. All control surfaces that were not destroyed were examined and found to be properly attached and safetied. The engine and propellers were examined but it was impossible to determine whether an engine had failed. There was no indication of either propeller having been feathered. All evidence indicates that the left engine failed while the airplane was in a turn at an altitude of approximately 500 feet. From the statements of the witnesses, and attitude of aircraft upon contact with the ground, the pilot had enough control to keep the airplane from rolling over when the engine failed but was unable to regain a level position. As the airplane slowed down the bank increased due to the fact that as speed decreased aileron control decreased. The left wing and engine struck the ground first with sufficient forward speed to scatter parts of the aircraft over a wide area. |
|
Buried |
21 July 1948 | Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA PLOT Sec: 12, Site: 760 | |
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Other Graduated |
West Point, New York | United States Military Academy |