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Raymond Eugene Betz
Lilah Crowe2023-11-20T19:08:56-06:00
- Name: Raymond Eugene Betz
- Location of Birth: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: January 12, 1922
- Date of Death: August 16, 1998 (76 years old)
- Parents: Leo Betz and Mildred (Shipman) Betz
- High School and Class:
- College:
- Highest Rank: CPL (Corporal)
- Branch: Army
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: October 26, 1942 (Enlistment Date)
- Place Sworn In:
- Date of Discharge: January 15, 1946 (Discharge Date)
- Place of Discharge:
-
- Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
Information in the United States, World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:
Name: Raymond Eugene Betz
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 20
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: January 12, 1922
Birth Place: Grand Rapids, Minnesota, USA
Residence Place: Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: June 30, 1942
Registration Place: Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Employer: Deep Rock Oil Company
Height: 6'
Weight: 180
Complexion: Ruddy
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Blue
Next of Kin: Mildred Betz (mother)
News article in Grand Rapids Herald Review, dated November 22, 1944:
Injured in Rescue
Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Betz received a telegram recently which stated that their son, Raymond, was injured in an airplane crash and was in the military hospital at Galveston, Texas. A letter from Raymond followed, stating that both legs were burned and his left knee cap cracked and was in a cast. His left hand was also burned. A clipping from a Galveston newspaper, enclosed in the letter from Raymond gives some particulars.
The news item stated: "A bomber burst into flames here Wednesday and crashed, seriously injuring three men. One of the crewmen was thrown clear and was hurt critically. A second, also hurt, crawled from the plane but finding the pilot was wedged in the wreckage, went back to help. A civilian who saw the crash aided him in extricating the pilot, who was unconscious. Galveston Army Airfield officers said both the civilian and the crewman who saved the pilot would be recommended for citations." The crewman who worked with the civilian to save the pilot was Raymond Betz.
- Wars Involved:
World War II
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Ray was a lifetime resident of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
He was a member of the Itasca Disabled American Veterans, the Grand Rapids Fire Department for 22 years, retiring in 1972 as chief. He worked for School District #318 as a school bus driver for 20 years. He was a member of Moose Lodge No. 2023 and Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2469, both of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Surviving relatives include his wife, Charlotte; son Tom; daughters Gail Hunsucker, Diane Betz, Lynn Roerick, JoAnn Nielsen, and Bobbie Jenkins; sisters, Dorothy Brace and Vivian Beaudet; brother Roger; and twelve grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was a son, James In 1972; and brothers, Floyd and Bill.
Buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery at Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (Plot I-G-22-2-0)
- Tribal Affiliation(s):
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