National Veterans Freedom Mural 1-Section 1

B25 Mitchell Bomber

Ryan Ringler enlisted into the Army Air Corp, June 30, 1942. Basic Training, Gunnery School and Flight Training. After 9 months was shipped to North Africa by Aircraft with 320th Bomb Group (B-26 Marauders). While at Barksdale Field in Texas, we made an emergency parachute landing without brakes wrecking the aircraft in an irrigation ditch. After 6 weeks with too many crewmen, Ringler transferred to the 310th Bomb Group (B-25's) where he flew his first mission over Italy. Flew 22 to be exact.

​

In November Ringler was transferred to the 12th Bomb Group, also B25's. "I flew 3 missions with them in Italy and was transferred again with 12 groups to India. From there we bombed Burma and flew some ammunition to the British in the Imphal Valley. After Flying 28 with the 310 Bomb Group, I reached 50 and after 50 you could fly more, but I chose to be sent home. I arrived back in the States in October of 1944, where I finished by service time when the war ended in 1945. Combat was hairy and anyone who tells you he wasn't scared when he stepped into that airplane is a liar. I flew 50 missions and never got a scratch."