sale is for every thing you see in the photo\'s -Original pictures;and, allthe documents arepertaining to his death -(Theportrait of thelady is vets sister) - We do not know if the autograph of LBJ is real or a Facsimile (Probably a copy) - Came from local house clean out -Free us shipping - no international - Guaranteed original - please ask questions or concerns... Thanks for looking!

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LEDOGAR, Ralph E

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 165 30 May 1944 Target: Junkers Aircraft Plant & Airfield at Halberstadt, Ger. Crews Dispatched: 39 Crews Lost: Lt. Van Weelden - 4 KIA, 5 POW Length of Mission: 6 hours, 30 minutes Bomb Load: 8 x 500 lb G.P. M43 and 500 lb. RDX bombs Bombing Altitudes: Group A - 23,000 ft; Group B - 22,500 ft Ammo Fired: 1,205 rounds Splitting up into two separate Groups, 303rd BG(H) Fortresses hit two targets in the Halberstadt area. One was the airdrome near Halberstadt, and the other the factory itself, just on the edge of the city. Bombing in conditions of good visibility, no opposition was encountered over the target except for other formations of bombers that made traffic a little hazardous. The bombardiers were annoyed as they tried to set their sights while confronted by prop wash from other Groups. Bombing was accomplished from 23,000 and 22,500 feet, dropping 330 550-lb. G.P. M43 and 20 500-lb. RDX bombs. Flak was practically non-existent for both Groups. One aircraft in the 303BG-B formation sustained minor flak damage. From 40 to 75 enemy fighters were reported. There were no enemy aircraft attacks or claims.
Mission 165 - 2
B-17G #42-31213 Pistol Packin\' Mama 359BS (BN-Z)
Aircraft #42-31213 Pistol Packin\' Mama, 359BS, piloted by 1Lt. Douglas C. Van Weelden, started out in the No. 2 position, but dropped to the No. 6 position shortly after crossing the Dutch border into Germany. The No. 2 engine smoked slightly until the bombs were dropped, then it started to smoke violently and the propeller was feathered. From there on out to the Zuider Zee, the B-17 kept dropping back slowly, but seemed to be in good shape. By the time the Zuider Zee was crossed, it was about four miles behind and 2,000 feet below the Group formation.
Lt. Van Weelden later advised that the formation had flown a double bomb run. On the second run, he couldn\'t make the turn and lagged behind the formation. ME-109s spotted the B-17 and inflicted additional damage on the Fortresses. After giving the bailout order, he flew the aircraft alone for \"quite a distance.\" After landing and being captured, he was told that the bodies of the co-pilot, radio operator, waist gunner and tail gunner had been found near his crashed B-17. He knew this was untrue because of the distance he had flown since they had bailed out. He believes they were shot by the Germans. Crewmembers killed were: 2Lt. William A. Sysel, S/Sgt. Ralph E. Ledogar, S/Sgt. William K. Forsythe and Sgt. John K. Barry. Lt. Sysel, S/Sgt. Ledogar and S/Sgt. Forsythe are buried in Ardennes American Cemetery near Liege, Belgium. Sgt. Barry is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery, Martgratten, Netherlands. Lt. Van Weelden, 1Lt. Robert W. Saumsiegle, 1Lt. Ronald J. Vincent, Sgt. Phillip A. Olander and Sgt. Urban L. Raterman were captured and taken prisoner.
Capt. Peter Packard, who led the factory attack said, \"We didn\'t have any fighter opposition ourselves, but there were a lot of ME-109s cruising around the area. Flak didn\'t bother us at all.\" Capt. Richard Dubell, who led the airdrome bombing, experienced a mission similar to Capt. Packard\'s.

DOUGLAS C. VAN WEELDEN CREW - 359th BS
(crew assigned 359BS: 04 May 1944) (Back L-R) Sgt Philip A. Olander (E-POW), S/Sgt Ralph E. Ledogar (R-KIA),
S/Sgt William K. Forsythe (WG-KIA), Sgt Urban L. Raterman (BT-POW),
Sgt John Welch (WG), Sgt John K. Barry (TG-KIA)

(Front L-R) 2Lt Douglas C. Van Weelden (P-POW), 2Lt William A. Sysel (CP-KIA),
2Lt Robert W. Saumsiegle (N-POW), F/O Ronald J. Vincent (B-POW)

LEDOGAR, Ralph E

LEDOGAR, Ralph Eugene

Servicenumber:32766822 Age:20Born:31 December 1923, Newark, Essex County, New JerseyHometown:Essex County, New JerseyFamily:Ralph R. Ledogar (father)
Louise (Schuppel) Ledogar (mother)
Eleanor L. Fucci (sister)Rank:Staff SergeantFunction:Radio Operator / Air GunnerRegiment:-Battalion:-Division – Transport:-Company – Squadron:359th Bomber SquadronUnit – Group:303rd Bomber Group HeavyPlane data:
(Serialnumber, MACR, etc.)Serialnumber: 42-32213
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Pistol Packin Mama
Destination: Halberstadt, GermanyDate of death:30 May 1944Status:KIAPlace of death:Nordhausen, GermanySpot:Not availableAwards:Air Medal, Purple HeartGravenumber:Plot C, Row 2, Grave 39Cemetery:American War Cemetery information:After the crew bailed out the four men had been shot and murdered by the Germans.