Service Member

S SGT RALPH M ROBINS

On August 1, 1943, a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-24198) nicknamed "The Vulgar Virgin" took off from Lete Airfield in Libya carrying ten crew members as part of Operation TIDAL WAVE, a large-scale bombing operation targeting enemy oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania. The aircraft was struck by enemy fire during the mission and burst into flames, the crashed after leaving the target area. One crew member was able to escape the aircraft and survived the incident. Two other airmen bailed out but did not survive; the remains of one were recovered. The other seven crew members crashed with the aircraft and their bodies were not recovered.

Staff Sergeant Ralph M. Robins entered the U.S. Army Air Forces from Connecticut and served with the 344th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy). He was the aerial engineer aboard the “The Vulgar Virgin,” when it was hit by enemy fire and crashed during the Ploesti mission. He exited the aircraft by parachute but did not survive the jump, and his remains were not recovered. Today, Staff Sergeant Robins is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery in Impruneta, Italy.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.

If you are a family member of this service member, DPAA can provide you with additional information and analysis of your case. Please contact your casualty office representative.

S Sgt RALPH M ROBINS

Unit 344 BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON 98 BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY)

Historical Country of Loss Rumania

Loss Area Current Romania

Current Country of Loss Romania

Home of Record Service Member

S SGT RALPH M ROBINS

On August 1, 1943, a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-24198) nicknamed "The Vulgar Virgin" took off from Lete Airfield in Libya carrying ten crew members as part of Operation TIDAL WAVE, a large-scale bombing operation targeting enemy oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania. The aircraft was struck by enemy fire during the mission and burst into flames, the crashed after leaving the target area. One crew member was able to escape the aircraft and survived the incident. Two other airmen bailed out but did not survive; the remains of one were recovered. The other seven crew members crashed with the aircraft and their bodies were not recovered.

Staff Sergeant Ralph M. Robins entered the U.S. Army Air Forces from Connecticut and served with the 344th Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy). He was the aerial engineer aboard the “The Vulgar Virgin,” when it was hit by enemy fire and crashed during the Ploesti mission. He exited the aircraft by parachute but did not survive the jump, and his remains were not recovered. Today, Staff Sergeant Robins is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery in Impruneta, Italy.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.

If you are a family member of this service member, DPAA can provide you with additional information and analysis of your case. Please contact your casualty office representative.

Service Members Associated with SSGT RALPH ROBINS's Loss

DUCHENE; DONALD R. SSgt Accounted For

KAISER; LOUIS SSgt Unaccounted For

PACKER; PAUL WISER FltO Unaccounted For

RABB; GERALD E.T SgtUnaccounted For

ROBINS; RALPH MS SgtUnaccounted For

TURGEON; ALFRED FT SgtAccounted For

VAN KLEECK; ARTHUR BSgtAccounted For

WOOD; JACK K.1st LtAccounted For

https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt00000004pSsEAI

Ralph W Robins