Timely Veteran Story

Served in World War II
Second Lieutenant, US Army Air Forces
336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group
Died: September 26, 1942, shot down over Brest, France
Buried: cemetery near Brest, France by the Germans
Reinterred: Brittany American Cemetery, Plot H Row 10 Grave 15 St James, France.

Awards

• Purple Heart
• World War II Victory Medal
• World War II Service Lapel Button
• European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal w/ One Bronze Service Star
• Born: February 18, 1911 in Danbury, New Hampshire, son of Wilson Heath and Eliza
  (Thomas) Ryerson
• Residence: Moved to Holliston in 1925 and lived first at 249 Central Street and then 1797
  Washington Street, where family operated the Ryerson Poultry Farm (location now known
  as Cedar Brook Estates at Johnson Street)
• Flying Experience: Learned to fly at East Boston Airport (Logan) and moved in late 1930s
  to California as a flying instructor. Prior to United States entry in World War II, joined RAF
• in 1941 and was assigned to 133 Squadron as a fighter pilot becoming one of 242 Americans in three British Eagle Squadrons. Transferred to United States Army Air Force on September 16, 1942. Died ten days later on what was expected to be a routine mission to escort a formation of B-17s on a bombing raid on Morlaix.
• Memorial Square: Washington Street & Johnson Drive.