SSGT. Ralph Verne Hines was an Aerial Gunner with the 12th Air Force; 57th Bombardment Wing; 321st Bombardment Group; 448th Bombardment Squadron; stationed in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, (MTO).

His Hometown was Whitman, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.

Wednesday, 31 March 1943

HQ 321st BG War Diary:
The fifteenth mission took off at 1245 on March 31, 1943 with 15 planes on a sea search. One plane returned early. Fourteen planes dropped 84 five-hundred pound bombs. Twelve planes returned at 1705 and one landed at Bone. The lower element claims that it broke a large M/V in two, carrying trucks and cars as a load. Two planes hit a large M/V and left it burning and sinking. Two other planes hit a large M/V and left it blazing. The upper element claims one M/V set on fire; two near misses; a string of bombs across a large cargo and passenger boat; and a large M/V which burst into flames after being hit amidships; and a large transport hit near the bow, after which it was seen smoking heavily and down at the bow. The same ship was hit amidships by another plane. The following combat claims were made: three ME-109s destroyed, one FW-190 destroyed, one ME-109 probably destroyed, three ME-109s damaged and one unidentified fighter damaged. Two B-25s were lost from the lower element. From the air, twenty enemy aircraft consisting of ME-109s, FW-190s and ME-210s were observed. A four-motored bomber was attacked by our escort and the escort shot down an enemy fighter. Marine observations consisted of a convoy of 4 destroyers, 1 transport, 4 barges, 1 Seibel Ferry, 1 escort vessel, 4 large M/Vs and one apparently damaged ship being towed. At least three ships were flying balloons. Flak was heavy and intense at higher altitudes. Machine-guns were used at lower altitudes. One FW-190 was calmed destroyed by Staff Sgt. Goldburn Turner of 1906 Sixth Ave., Council Bluffs, Iowa. One ME-109 was claimed destroyed jointly by Technical Sgt. DeWitt C. Gallaher of 26 Bradford ST., Charleston, W.Va., Staff Sgt. Richard L. Lambert of 1611 Masignay St., New Orleans, La., and Staff Sgt. Ernest L. Whitmore of RFD #3, Marathon, N.Y. One ME-109 was claimed-destroyed by Staff Sgt. Walter R. Brainard of Maudlow, Mont., and one ME-109 was claimed jointly destroyed by Technical Sgt. Irving W. Knight of 990 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, Ind., and Staff Sgt. James E. Lawyer of 2114 Gent Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Flight leaders were Maj. Cook and Lieut. Veum. The following personnel from the 448th Bombardment Squadron were reported as missing in action as a result of this mission: Lieut. Robert G. Hess, Lieut. Mert J. Welton, Lieut. Charles A. McKinney, Lieut. John F. Campbell, Sgt. Herbert E. Rodgers, Sgt. Harold F. Cookman, Sgt. Ralph V. Hines, Sgt. Walter J. McMurray, Sgt. Thomas S. Ratajczyk, Sgt. Boyd V. Headings, Sgt. Lofton F. McGinnis, Sgt. Edward A. Kirol and Sgt. Richard O. Lottes.

448th BS Mission Summary: (Ops Order 16/mission 15) Group Mission # 15: Mission 11 (15): At 12:45 15 planes off to bomb on sea sweep, 14 dropped 84 x 500 bombs. 12 planes back at 17:05. One landed at Bone. Met convoy, lower element (48) claims M/V broken in two, one M/V left sinking, one left burning. 4 E/A destroyed. About 50 E/A attacked 2 B-25’s (Lts: Hess and McKinney) shot down. Intense, heavy accurate flak, balloon barrage. Bombing was at 100-200 feet. Weather: Clear. F/L: Cook and Veum.

A/C B-25; Serial No. 41-13209; “Trouble”; MACR-14579; “Lost at Sea. Aircraft was lost to enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft”)

The CREW:
P Hess, Robert G. “Rudy”, 1Lt - MIA, DED
CP Welton, Mert J. “Jim”, 2Lt - MIA, DED
N None
B McMurray, Walter J., S/Sgt - MIA, DED
E Rodgers, Herbert E., S/Sgt - MIA, DED
R Cookman, Harold F., S/Sgt - MIA, DED
G Hines, Ralph V., S/Sgt - MIA, DED
F None

++++++++++

A/C B-25; No. 41-13205; MACR-14578; Lost at Sea;

Aircraft was lost to enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft

THE CREW:

P McKinney, Charles Asbury “Charlie”, 1Lt - MIA, DED
CP Campbell, John F., 2Lt - MIA, DED
N None
B Kirol, Edward A., S/Sgt - MIA, DED
E Ratajczyk, Thomas S., S/Sgt - MIA, DED
R Headings, Boyd V., S/Sgt - MIA, DED
G McGinnis, Lofton F., S/Sgt - MIA, DED
F Lottes, Richard O., Sgt (ASV) - MIA, DED
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448th BS War Diary: Additional Narrative for March 1943:
On March 31, 1943, while on low-element sea-sweep over Mediterranean Sea the squadron suffered its first casualty in combat, 1st Lieutenant: Hess, McKinney; 2nd Lieutenants: Campbell, Welton; S/Sgts: Cookman, Hines, Kirol, McGinnis, McMurray, Ratajczyk, Rodgers, H.E., Headings and Lottes were officially listed as missing in action. Next of kin notified.

Ralph V Hines