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Ralph Christensen, veteran
Sioux Falls VA

Ralph Christensen, WWII	The crew would receive a small cloth map of the area they were flying over in case they were shot down. Ralph Christensen used a similar map to evade capture when he was shot down over Hamburg, Germany.	Ralph Christensen found 5 pieces of flak in the compartment of his plane when he was shot down in February of 1945.
Ralph Christensen removed this oxygen system fitting off of a German plane called the Me109 while he was evading capture in February of 1945. Mr. Christensen comment, "Destroyed planes were everywhere!"	Ralph Christensen removed this cloth patch off of a German plane called the Me109 while he was evading capture in February of 1945. Mr. Christensen commented, "The German Me109 was covered by a canvas-like material."	Russian friendly fire ID worn by Americans during WWII
First wings, May 23rd, 1944	Ralph Christensen witnessed this amazing scene while flying over Hamburg, Germany during WWII. Mr. Christensen commented, "The planes were stuck together and would not release." (Recreation by Ralph Christensen)	(Click here to view) Ralph Christensen and his crew were shot down in February of 1945. Frederick S. Daiger III, one of the crew members, bought the "Dead Man's Bottle" in 1945 after they evaded capture. Four of the crew members met in January of 2007 for a drink. The bottle had not been opened for 62 years. (Pictured left to right - Francis H. Mikesh, pilot; William F. Dondero, tail gunner; Ralph H. Christensen, pilot; Dale E. Francis, ball gunner) Ramon Conejo, radio operator, was unable to make the trip. Two small bottles were filled and sent to Mr. Conejo.

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