Ernest Gilbert Radcliff was born at home in Dexter, Kansas on November 22, 1912, to Jessie Brown Radcliff and John Harrison Radcliff. He was the oldest in a family of 4 children, brother Mel and sisters Fran and Nadine.

He grew up in Dexter and graduated from Cedar Vale High School. The family was blessed with musical talent, and Ernie sang and played the violin. My uncle and aunts tell me that he loved popcorn and Western novels, and that he had a beautiful smile. He was a caring son and big brother, much loved and admired.

He married Bessie Arlene Walker of Bluff City, Kansas on September 5, 1938 at his parents home in Wichita, Kansas. Patricia Arlene Radcliff, his only child, was born July 16, 1939.

Ernie joined the Army Air Corps on February 10, 1943. He wanted to become a pilot like his younger brother Mel, but at 30, Ernie was too old for pilot training. Instead he entered the glider training program and was assigned to the Glider Pilot Replacement Squadron, Hondo, Texas until that program was discontinued. He earned his wings as a radio operator at Sedalia Field, Missouri and was assigned to the 55th Squadron of the 375th Troop Carrier Group. In February 1945, he was sent to Biak, New Guinea, and then to San Marcelino, Luzon and finally to Porac near Clark Field, Luzon.

What happened to my father will probably never be known. Doug Davis, his tent mate, told me that he volunteered for the routine flight on May 26, 1945. The C46 took off at daybreak bound for Peleilu. It never arrived. The aircraft was not found, and in February 1946, my father was officially declared dead.

From the squadron history, May 1945: "Gloom was cast over the squadron with the required submittal of a report listing the first 55th casualties of this war -- through the loss of a crew of five, 2nd Lts. William B. Pemberton, Edward Y. Ong, and Thomas J. O'Brien; S/Sgt. James J. Lyerly, and Sgt. Ernest Radcliff, missing on an operational flight, 26 May, from Luzon to Peleliu." The men of this crew were the only casualties of the 55th Squadron during WWII.

My father is listed on the Wall of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Philippines. A memorial marker next to his parents' graves at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Topeka, Kansas, bears his name. So much was lost when that plane went down - Ernie Radcliff - husband, son, brother, father, uncle, now grandfather and great grandfather. And four other young men whose families will forever grieve.

My father touches our life and the lives of our daughter and grandchildren each day. In them we see his face, his personality and his great love of people, life and creation. God bless you Ernie Radcliff, how I wish I could have known you.