Raymond E. Price
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 25 December 1944, First Lieutenant Raymond E. Price was serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 565th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces.

On that day, 1LT Price’s unit was in action against German forces while participating in a bombing mission against enemy targets in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, after dropping bombs, 1LT Price’s aircraft was severely damaged and the bomb bay set on fire following attacks by about 15 German fighters. The bomber then went into a spin but 1LT Price was able to get the aircraft under control at about 15000 feet. Two of his plane's engines were rendered inoperative by runaway props, the control surface damaged, the main hydraulic system destroyed and the bomb bay was still on fire. 1LT Price’s aircraft soon became a lone straggler and was attacked by 3 German fighters that inflicted further damage and badly wounded several crew members. Despite his aircraft's critical condition, 1LT Price continued to take evasive action and fight the attacking enemy. Realizing that the bomber could no longer maintain flight, 1LT Price ordered the unwounded crew to bail out and he would attempt a crash landing so the wounded crew members might be saved. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft exploded in mid-air at about 1000 feet and no parachutes were seen leaving the plane. 1LT Price’s selfless, courageous action and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 3
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army Air Force Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Raymond E. Price (ASN: 0-820820), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 565th Bombardment Squadron, 389th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 25 December 1944, against enemy targets in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, Lieutenant Price's aircraft was severely damaged and the bomb bay set on fire following repeated enemy fighter attacks. Two of his aircraft's engines were rendered inoperative, the control surface damaged and the main hydraulic system destroyed. In short time his aircraft became a lone straggler and was attacked by three enemy fighters who inflicted further damage and badly wounded several crew members. Despite the critical condition of the aircraft, Lieutenant Price continued to take evasive action and fight the attacking enemy. Realizing that the aircraft could maintain flight no longer, he ordered the crew to bail out and decided to attempt a crash in order that wounded crew members might be saved. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft exploded in mid-air and Lieutenant Price was not seen to leave it beforehand. The extraordinary heroism and complete disregard for his personal safety displayed by Lieutenant Price on this occasion are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 29 (1945)

Burial

First Lieutenant Raymond E. Price is buried at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Arrondissement de Verviers, Liège, Belgium in Plot 5, Row 5, Grave 50.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47953857/raymond-e-price