Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Share #1 Posted March 31, 2013 Sergeant Charles R. Ruark -Top Torrent Gunner B-24, "SNOW WHITE", - 343 Squadron, 98th Bomb Group This is one of the nicest, as well as one of the more historically significant KIA Purple Heart groups that I have owned in quite a while. This group also includes his DFC, photos and gut wrenching letters written to his wife from other aircrew describing the heroic deeds of the B-24 " Snow White" during the daring low-level attack on the oil refineries at Ploesti on August 1, 1943. The Snow White survived her time over target, but gave her all in the attempt to save her squadron mate " The Witch"' which had been badly shot up and was falling behind and out of formation. Sgt. Ruark, had been wounded in action (ankle) on May 21, 1943. He died a short time later with his entire crew in the "Snow White" as did 521 other airmen, on August 1, of the same year. In all, 54 planes were lost, 41 of those were in combat. What this group may lack in the form of documents, few groups offer more in substance. This post will have many photos to view, but will by no means cover all that is here, or convey all the emotions expressed in the personal paperwork. In 1949, upon his repatriation and burial at Arlington National Cemetery, the flag of the United States was presented to his 5-year old son. Original autographs and comment by Lt. Norman Whalen, navigator of “Hail Columbia” and Lt. Julian Darlington, the pilot of “The Witch”, the Liberator that Snow White tried so valiantly to protect, further personalize it. Hope You Approve, Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted March 31, 2013 Sergeant Charles R. Ruark -Top Torrent Gunner B-24, "SNOW WHITE", - 343 Squadron, 98th Bomb Group This is one of the nicest, as well as one of the more historically significant KIA Purple Heart groups that I have owned in quite a while. This group also includes his DFC, photos and gut wrenching letters written to his wife from other aircrew describing the heroic deeds of the B-24 " Snow White" during the daring low-level attack on the oil refineries at Ploesti on August 1, 1943. The Snow White survived her time over target, but gave her all in the attempt to save her squadron mate " The Witch"' which had been badly shot up and was falling behind and out of formation. Sgt. Ruark, had been wounded in action (ankle) on May 21, 1943. He died a short time later with his entire crew in the "Snow White" as did 521 other airmen, on August 1, of the same year. In all, 54 planes were lost, 41 of those were in combat. What this group may lack in the form of documents, few groups offer more in substance. This post will have many photos to view, but will by no means cover all that is here, or convey all the emotions expressed in the personal paperwork. In 1949, upon his repatriation and burial at Arlington National Cemetery, the flag of the United States was presented to his 5-year old son. Original autographs and comment by Lt. Norman Whalen, navigator of “Hail Columbia” and Lt. Julian Darlington, the pilot of “The Witch”, the Liberator that Snow White tried so valiantly to protect, further personalize it. Hope You Approve, Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted March 31, 2013 #1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted March 31, 2013 #2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted March 31, 2013 #3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted March 31, 2013 Share #6 Posted March 31, 2013 Thanks for sharing. I love seeing original groups from the Ploesti raid. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted March 31, 2013 #3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted March 31, 2013 #4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted March 31, 2013 #5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted March 31, 2013 #6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted March 31, 2013 #7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted March 31, 2013 #8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pchepurko Posted March 31, 2013 Share #13 Posted March 31, 2013 Outstanding! I have the MARC for Snow White. Why? Because one of the crewmen. Delmar E. Smith was from my hometown and his name is listed on the memorial wall in town. I am researching all of the names on the wall and writing a book about the men. The story I have written about Smith and Snow White is one of my favorite. It is an incredible story of sacrifice and courage. Smith was a replacement crewmen on Snow White and the Ploesti raid was his first mission. The photo album is very historicly significant. Below is a nice picture of Snow White Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted March 31, 2013 #8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #15 Posted March 31, 2013 #9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted March 31, 2013 #10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted March 31, 2013 #11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted March 31, 2013 #12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted March 31, 2013 A Model of the SnowWhite. Much more to follow, time permitting. D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted March 31, 2013 Share #20 Posted March 31, 2013 Fantastic Tidal Wave Grouping!! What a treasure! Operation Tidal Wave groups and items are very tough to find. I've only gotten 3 in over 10 years that I have been hunting them down and nothing as complete as this set! What a great, complete group. Thanks for sharing!! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted March 31, 2013 Share #21 Posted March 31, 2013 Very special and historic grouping,thanks for sharing it. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted March 31, 2013 Share #22 Posted March 31, 2013 The medals are amazing, but the documentation and photos make this a really special and historic group. Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #23 Posted March 31, 2013 Some of the many family shots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #24 Posted March 31, 2013 The following paperwork is in no particular order, but is how it came to me in the binder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share #25 Posted March 31, 2013 Early years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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