Trevor Arendall Posted June 28, 2021 Share #1 Posted June 28, 2021 This is the Purple Heart to Ralph C Banovicts. He was killed on the first bombing raid over Tokyo since the Doolittle raid on November 24, 1944. S/Sgt Ralph C Banovicts was the radio operator for the B-29 42-24622 “Lucky Irish” which was piloted by Lt Wagner. This B-29 unfortunately become famous on November 24, 1944 while on the first bombing raid over Tokyo since the Doolittle Raid. The “Lucky Irish” was one of 111 B-29s launched to bombard various targets in the Tokyo area. During the raid, 24 attacked the Musashino aircraft plant, 59 attacked port facilities and urban areas in Tokyo, 5 attacked targets of last resort, 17 aborted while in route to target and 6 were unable to release bombs because of mechanical problems. During the raid 2 B-29s were lost, B-29 gunners claimed 7 downed aircraft, 8 B-29s were damaged by ground fire and 3 were damaged from friendly B-29 fire. Personal losses are 1 killed, 11 missing (later declared dead) and 4 wounded. Of the two B-29s lost, one ditched (Tudor Crew) and one was shot down (Wagner crew). The “Lucky Irish” was flown by the Wagner crew. The book B-29 Superfortress vs. Ki-44 Tojo written by Donald Nijboer best explains what happened to the Wagner’s B-29. “Ki-44-IIs of the 47th Hikō Sendai caught the bombers over the target, with unit commander Maj Noburo Okuda raked B-29 42-24622 Lucky Irish of the 870th BS/497th BG, Flown by Sam Wagner, with 40mm cannon fire during a head-on attack. Moments later Cpl Yoshiso Mita Finished the job by ramming his Ki-44 into the B-29’s tail section. After he cut off the right stabilizer and elevator, his fighter burst into flames and fell from the sky. Lucky Irish went into a spin and eventually crashed nose first. There were no survivors.” The eleven men who lost their lives on the “Lucky Irish” are as follows Pilot - 1st/Lt Sam P Wagner Co Pilot - 2nd/Lt Ernest B Lopes Navigator - 2nd/Lt Alvin R Hoffman Bombardier - 2nd/Lt David J Schnaars Engineer - 2nd/Lt Odne N Dahl Radio Operator - S/Sgt Ralph C Banovicts Radar Operator - S/Sgt William Wendler Gunner - Sgt Elmer C Lindenstruth Gunner - Sgt Hubert D Wheeler Gunner - Cpl Cecil E Frederick Gunner - Pfc Rex E Merritt Not only would this day mark the beginning of heavy bombing raids on Tokyo, it marked the first successful ramming attack by a Ki-44 and it also marked the first 21st Bomber Command B-29 lost to enemy action. Below are pictures of the Purple Heart, “Lucky Irish” crew and Cpl Yoshiso Mita. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Arendall Posted June 28, 2021 Author Share #2 Posted June 28, 2021 The ramming attack of the “Lucky Irish” is captured on the bottom cover of the book B-29 Superfortress vs. Ki-44 “Tojo” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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