Billy Ray Ramsey
First Lieutenant Billy R. Ramsey was a Marine pilot with VMSB-236
He was reported missing in action on a mission to Rabaul, New Britain on 14 January 1944.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-14608
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 27, 1920
at Eastland, TX
Parents
George Warren Ramsey
Bertha (Boswell) Ramsey
Education
Breckenridge High School (1938)
Texas Christian University (ex-1942)
Occupation & Employer
Roustabout
Landredth Production Company
Service Life
Entered Service
October 30, 1942 (officer)
Home Of Record
Breckenridge, TX
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. George W. Ramsey
Military Specialty
Pilot
Recreation & Athletic Officer
Primary Unit
VMSB-236
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons (two tours)
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 14 January 1944, took off from Munda Airfield in SBD-5 #35971 as part of “the first full-scale attack of land based lightweight bombers against Japanese shipping at Rabaul.” Intense defensive fire and successive waves of Japanese aircraft met the attackers, and Ramsey’s Dauntless “had its tail shot off by anti-aircraft while the flight was approaching the target area.” The bomber entered a flat spin and fell out of control into St. George’s Channel.
Billy Ramsey was posted as missing after the mission, and ultimately declared dead on 15 January 1945. His gunner, Sergeant Charles J. Sciara, survived the crash but was captured by Japanese forces and died at a prison camp near Rabaul on 24 February 1944.
Ramsey was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain.
Burial Information or Disposition
None; remains not recovered.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. George Ramsey.
Lieutenant Ramsey’s mother, Bertha, lived in Abilene, Texas.
Location Of Loss
Lieutenant Ramsey was last seen over St. Georges Channel north of Rabaul.
