abt 1926 or 27
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29 Jul 1942
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Connell, Ralph J - AAF Pre-flight School Sergeant appointment
1942 or 43
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Probably 1942
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16 Feb 1943 – Blytheville, Arkansas
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Connell, R.J., twin engine diploma - 16 Feb 1943, Blytheville, Ark
16 Feb 1943
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2nd Lt appointment
Apr 1943 – Columbus, Ohio
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Aug 1943 – Mississippi
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26 Oct 1943
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Second to last letter before crash
13 Nov 1943 – Wargrave, England
13 NOVEMBER 1943 - MISSION ABORTED DUE TO WEATHER
Today was another aborted mission which was not credited as a sortie to any of those that did get airborne, but this did not prevent tragedy from striking.
Shortly after take off while in the vicinity of Wargrave, something started to go wrong with the "Sunrise Serenader." At an altitude of 10,000 feet, just after 0900 hours, the aircraft started to vibrate badly, but held course momentarily. Just seconds prior to this the bombardier had pulled the safety pins from the bombs and then went into the radio room. There he joined the tail gunner, ball turret gunner, right waist gunner and the radio operator, T/Sgt. Alan B. Purdy.
All these men had their parachute harnesses on and fastened with the exception of the bombardier. None had their chutes snapped on at this time. Almost instantly after the bombardier came into the radio room, the vibration started and the plane went over sharply on the left wing, then back and over on the right ...
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8 Dec 1943
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Connell, RJ - Lion's Club Honor - The County Record, Blountstown, Fla - 8 Dec 1943
17 Dec 1943
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Lt. Connell pilots flaming ship away from town - Jacksonville Journal - 17 Dec 1943.
20 Dec 1943
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1st Lt. Ralph Jackson Connell - Jacksonville Journal editorial
Probably 1943
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1943
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1st Lt. Ralph J. Connell (far right), pilot, 8th Air Force and crew of B-17 in WWII.
1943
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544th Bomb Squadron patch
Dec 1943
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Condolence card from General George C. Marshall to Carl Connell
1943
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1943
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384th Bomb Group patch
Probably 1943
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L-R: Sisters Ouida & Orene, Ralph, and mother Carl Parrish Connell
13 November 1993
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Supreme Sacrifice
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Uncle Ralph funeral notice
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Connell, RJ - KIA announcement - The Times, St. Petersburg, Fla
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University of Florida memorial certificate