Missing SGT Lab, Ralph L. – 15069793
Ralph L. Lab – 15069793 is a World War II Missing in Action (MIA) Sergeant whose name is engraved at the Tablets of the Missing at World War II Margraten U.S. Cemetery and Memorial in The Netherlands. His name is adopted by Tino Dam, Study Group Missing Soldier board member.
About SGT Lab – 15069793
| Name: Lab, Ralph L. |
| Rank: Sergeant (SGT), Radio Operator |
| Service number: 15069793 |
| Status: Missing in Action (MIA) |
| Missing since: January 11, 1944 |
| Unit: 8th Air Force, 533rd Bomber Squadron, 381st Bomber Group, Heavy |
| Commemorated: Tablets of the Missing, Netherlands Margraten U.S. Cemetery and Memorial |
| Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart |
| Adopted by: Tino Dam, Study Group Missing Soldier board member |
Circumstances
Statement of John R. Lantz, RH waist gunner and only survivor from B17G 42-37719:
We flew just over the Dutch/German border when we hit on very hostile fire. Our #3 engine was hit and lost a lot of oil, I could see it from my right waist position, it hit the right stabilizer. The engine stuttered and the Pilot decided to turn and fly back to England.
Than #2 and #4 engine gave signs of jamming and Pilot Nason decided to try start engine #3 again. Meanwhile we flew into German clouds to avoid contact with the German fighter planes.
For unknown reason engine #3 caught fire. It was obvious we where in big troubles and had to leave the plane. The navigator told us we where above water, but there was no other choice. Than the Pilot gave the command to bail out by intercom. I jumped out and had free fall for a while. I didn’t see the plane come down.
Shortly after I hit the ice-cold water, I was picked out of the water quickly by a Dutch fisher boat, minutes later followed by a Dutch Harbor Patrol boat. Nobody else from my crew was found.
The patrol boat was seen by a German boat and Lantz was taken prison. Some months after the incident the dead body’s of five crewmembers from B17G S/N 42-37719 where found in the Zuiderzee. Their names are Nason, Anagnos, Fiery and Harrah. The other four crewmembers where never found.
Aircraft data
Serial number: 42-37719
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Hellcat
Target: Oschersleben, Germany
Mission: Combat
Crash: January 11, 1944 at IJsselmeer (Enkhuizerzand), The Netherlands
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR): 1881
Family
Father: Henry Adam Lab
Mother: Mary Ann (Rieger) Lab
Grandmother: Regina Lab
Brothers: Bernard Lab, Maurice (Morris) Lab, Bruce G. Lab*, Carl P. Lab
*(PVT Bruce G. Lab is buried at the World War II Belgium Henri Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial)
Visit Stichting Adoptiegraven Amerikaanse Begraafplaats Margraten