Nicholas Paul Rich, Jr.
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Nicholas Paul Rich, Jr. He served during World War II in the European Theater. He was killed in action on April 27, 1944.
Mr. Rich served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a Turret Gunner and at the time of his death his rank was Staff Sergeant. He entered service in January 1943. Mr. Rich trained first with an Army Air Force ground crew at Clearwater, Florida. He became a turret gunner and in that capacity flew many missions between England and German. It appears that he may have been part of the 800th Airborne. His 25th mission (as part of a large air offensive) was to have been his last before returning to the United States. The Liberator bomber he was on had completed its run to Germany and was crossing the English Channel, heading for Dover, when it was hit by enemy fire. Mr. Rich was among the fatalities. Two men did survive, one of whom contacted the Rich family. Mr. Rich was buried in the American Cemetery in Cambridge, England.
He and his four brothers—Albert, Michael, Patrick, and Tony Rich—all served during the war.
Mr. Rich was born in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of Nick, Sr., and Dora Rich. He graduated from Denfeld High School. He lived in California after high school and enlisted there.
Source: Family member
