Ralph Virgil King
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Ralph King grew up in Kamas, Utah, and graduated from Kamas High School in 1938. He then spent two years at Brigham Young University. He left the University and went to work for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, California. He married Patricia Louder of Salt Lake City. Ralph answered his nation's call to war in October 1942, and trained in Texas and Colorado as to be a gunner on B-24 Liberator bombers. He was assigned overseas in March of 1944, and reported for duty in the 15th Air Force (a heavy bombardment group) stationed in Italy. He then flew anti-submarine patrols over the Mediterranean. After receiving more training, Ralph was repositioned as a nose gunner in the Liberator. Ralph paved the way for the D-Day invasion by aiding in the bombing of bridges and coastal defense artillery. He was awarded the Purple Heart, and the Air Force medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, one of which was awarded eight days before his death. On October 16, 1944, just 14 days before his 25th birthday, S/Sgt Ralph King was reported MIA/KIA on his 37th bombing mission over Austria. | |
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Written By: Cadet Benjamin Royer | |
