Note: His birth is recorded in the New York State Birth Index with the name as "Willis J." His maternal grandmother's maiden name was Willis, so this makes sense, but it is the ONLY place found with him as "Willis".
James "Jimmy" Ritz was an enlisted in the Army Air Force on September 10, 1940. He was a bombardier, but was flying as a nose gunner on board the B-24 Liberator, "Scrap Drive" over a target in Germany when it was struck by a burst of flak. Jimmy was killed and the bombardier, Ralph Whikhart was badly wounded. The mission continued and Whikhart was able to drop his bombs on the target. The plane was struck a second time by flak, but managed to make it back to England where it was able to belly land at a B-17 base. Whikhart was able to recover from his injuries.
The following article was published in the Gouverneur Tribune Press on May 10, 1944 reporting on his death:
Mr. and Mrs. Bart F. Ritz of Oswegatchie, have received news from the war department of the death of their son, Staff Sgt Jas. A Ritz in action over France on April 20th. His name is included on the Gouverneur area Honor Roll.
Staff Sgt Ritz was born at Newton Falls, Oct 1, 1920, eldest son of Bart and Madalyn Worthington Ritz. He attended grade school at Newton Falls, but when the family removed to Oswegatchie, the young man attended high school there, graduated in '39 and was valedictorian of his class.
He enlisted on Sept 8, 1940, was stationed at Mitchel Field L.I. 15 months and later sent to Lowery Field, Denver Colo training as a bombardier and in armament and chemical warfare. He graduated on July 9, 1942, returned to Mitchel Field and Langley Field, Va, later doing mission flying in the south Atlantic over the Caribbean. He was also on convoy patrol from Florida ports. He was awarded a citation for flying 300 hours in active service in Newfoundland.
March 9, 1943, he left for overseas and was flying as a bombardier three months and tail gunner two months ago when he resumed his position as bombardier.
His parents received his last letter April 19. He reported he had flown 21 missions. He was home for the last time January 1, 1943.
A brother, Pfc William Ritz is stationed in Northern Ireland and it is two years since the brothers met. Besides this brother he is survived by his parents and a sister, Barbara Ann.
James "Jimmy" Ritz was an enlisted in the Army Air Force on September 10, 1940. He was a bombardier, but was flying as a nose gunner on board the B-24 Liberator, "Scrap Drive" over a target in Germany when it was struck by a burst of flak. Jimmy was killed and the bombardier, Ralph Whikhart was badly wounded. The mission continued and Whikhart was able to drop his bombs on the target. The plane was struck a second time by flak, but managed to make it back to England where it was able to belly land at a B-17 base. Whikhart was able to recover from his injuries.
The following article was published in the Gouverneur Tribune Press on May 10, 1944 reporting on his death:
Mr. and Mrs. Bart F. Ritz of Oswegatchie, have received news from the war department of the death of their son, Staff Sgt Jas. A Ritz in action over France on April 20th. His name is included on the Gouverneur area Honor Roll.
Staff Sgt Ritz was born at Newton Falls, Oct 1, 1920, eldest son of Bart and Madalyn Worthington Ritz. He attended grade school at Newton Falls, but when the family removed to Oswegatchie, the young man attended high school there, graduated in '39 and was valedictorian of his class.
He enlisted on Sept 8, 1940, was stationed at Mitchel Field L.I. 15 months and later sent to Lowery Field, Denver Colo training as a bombardier and in armament and chemical warfare. He graduated on July 9, 1942, returned to Mitchel Field and Langley Field, Va, later doing mission flying in the south Atlantic over the Caribbean. He was also on convoy patrol from Florida ports. He was awarded a citation for flying 300 hours in active service in Newfoundland.
March 9, 1943, he left for overseas and was flying as a bombardier three months and tail gunner two months ago when he resumed his position as bombardier.
His parents received his last letter April 19. He reported he had flown 21 missions. He was home for the last time January 1, 1943.
A brother, Pfc William Ritz is stationed in Northern Ireland and it is two years since the brothers met. Besides this brother he is survived by his parents and a sister, Barbara Ann.
Note: His birth is recorded in the New York State Birth Index with the name as "Willis J." His maternal grandmother's maiden name was Willis, so this makes sense, but it is the ONLY place found with him as "Willis".
James "Jimmy" Ritz was an enlisted in the Army Air Force on September 10, 1940. He was a bombardier, but was flying as a nose gunner on board the B-24 Liberator, "Scrap Drive" over a target in Germany when it was struck by a burst of flak. Jimmy was killed and the bombardier, Ralph Whikhart was badly wounded. The mission continued and Whikhart was able to drop his bombs on the target. The plane was struck a second time by flak, but managed to make it back to England where it was able to belly land at a B-17 base. Whikhart was able to recover from his injuries.
The following article was published in the Gouverneur Tribune Press on May 10, 1944 reporting on his death:
Mr. and Mrs. Bart F. Ritz of Oswegatchie, have received news from the war department of the death of their son, Staff Sgt Jas. A Ritz in action over France on April 20th. His name is included on the Gouverneur area Honor Roll.
Staff Sgt Ritz was born at Newton Falls, Oct 1, 1920, eldest son of Bart and Madalyn Worthington Ritz. He attended grade school at Newton Falls, but when the family removed to Oswegatchie, the young man attended high school there, graduated in '39 and was valedictorian of his class.
He enlisted on Sept 8, 1940, was stationed at Mitchel Field L.I. 15 months and later sent to Lowery Field, Denver Colo training as a bombardier and in armament and chemical warfare. He graduated on July 9, 1942, returned to Mitchel Field and Langley Field, Va, later doing mission flying in the south Atlantic over the Caribbean. He was also on convoy patrol from Florida ports. He was awarded a citation for flying 300 hours in active service in Newfoundland.
March 9, 1943, he left for overseas and was flying as a bombardier three months and tail gunner two months ago when he resumed his position as bombardier.
His parents received his last letter April 19. He reported he had flown 21 missions. He was home for the last time January 1, 1943.
A brother, Pfc William Ritz is stationed in Northern Ireland and it is two years since the brothers met. Besides this brother he is survived by his parents and a sister, Barbara Ann.
James "Jimmy" Ritz was an enlisted in the Army Air Force on September 10, 1940. He was a bombardier, but was flying as a nose gunner on board the B-24 Liberator, "Scrap Drive" over a target in Germany when it was struck by a burst of flak. Jimmy was killed and the bombardier, Ralph Whikhart was badly wounded. The mission continued and Whikhart was able to drop his bombs on the target. The plane was struck a second time by flak, but managed to make it back to England where it was able to belly land at a B-17 base. Whikhart was able to recover from his injuries.
The following article was published in the Gouverneur Tribune Press on May 10, 1944 reporting on his death:
Mr. and Mrs. Bart F. Ritz of Oswegatchie, have received news from the war department of the death of their son, Staff Sgt Jas. A Ritz in action over France on April 20th. His name is included on the Gouverneur area Honor Roll.
Staff Sgt Ritz was born at Newton Falls, Oct 1, 1920, eldest son of Bart and Madalyn Worthington Ritz. He attended grade school at Newton Falls, but when the family removed to Oswegatchie, the young man attended high school there, graduated in '39 and was valedictorian of his class.
He enlisted on Sept 8, 1940, was stationed at Mitchel Field L.I. 15 months and later sent to Lowery Field, Denver Colo training as a bombardier and in armament and chemical warfare. He graduated on July 9, 1942, returned to Mitchel Field and Langley Field, Va, later doing mission flying in the south Atlantic over the Caribbean. He was also on convoy patrol from Florida ports. He was awarded a citation for flying 300 hours in active service in Newfoundland.
March 9, 1943, he left for overseas and was flying as a bombardier three months and tail gunner two months ago when he resumed his position as bombardier.
His parents received his last letter April 19. He reported he had flown 21 missions. He was home for the last time January 1, 1943.
A brother, Pfc William Ritz is stationed in Northern Ireland and it is two years since the brothers met. Besides this brother he is survived by his parents and a sister, Barbara Ann.
Gravesite Details
Bombardier, Enlisted Army Air Corps, Sept 10, 1940 - killed over France April 20, 1944; New York Staff Sgt 701 AAF Bomb Sq, Workd War II; Son of Bart
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