
2/Lt. Ralph I. Jones was killed August 28, 1944 over Boskovštejn, Czech Republic on his first combat mission. I recounted his heroic story in an earlier post.
Now for the first time, his picture adorns the monument dedicated to a once-unknown American P-51 fighter pilot. The seventieth anniversary memorial service for 2/Lt. Jones was held last August 30.
Special thanks to Svatopluk “Svat” Vaculik who found the photograph of 2/Lt. Jones and arranged for its inclusion on his monument. He also provided the photographs of the memorial service.
Did you or a family member serve in the Army Air Forces during World War II? Please contribute your own biography, or that of a loved one, to the Keep ‘em Flying memorial at the AAF Collection. Contact the curator for details.