Eighty years after his death in World War II, a hero is laid to rest in his hometown of McGehee, Arkansas.
Staff Sgt. Ralph D. Kolb, a 19-year-old radio operator on a B-24 Liberator bomber, flying combat missions over Europe as a part of Operation Tidal Wave on August 1, 1943. During the mission, his B-24 took incoming anti-aircraft fire and was shot out of the sky over Ploesti, Romania.
Locals in the area found the crash site and buried any human remains they found. Kolb was listed as a MIA for nearly 80 years until investigators with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) were able to pinpoint his grave in Romania, and later confirm his identity using DNA analysis.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Kolb was buried with full honors last week. His funeral was attended by soldiers from Ft. Sill who acted as pallbearers, rifle team, bugler and the flag team.
"It’s great to finally have him home where he belongs," said Harold Kolb Jr. who is the nephew of the deceased.
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Reach Jack Murphy: jack@connectingvets.com or @JackMurphyRGR.
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