Lt. Ring Dies in Action

Hooper Pilot Flew Air “Burma Road” Supply Route to China

First Lt. Theodore H. Ring, who last week was reported missing in a flight on July 1 from China to India, was killed in the flight according to official war department communiques. Lt. Ring was the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Ring, publishers of the Hooper Sentinel.

The 24-year-old pilot was one of a group of 50 selected for special training as air transport pilots, after receiving his 2nd lieutenant’s commission and his pilot’s wings on February 6, 1943. He received this training at Chicago, Fort Worth, Texas, and Homestead, Fla. From Homestead he went to India early in August last year, serving there until his death.

He was one of the pilots who flew the hazardous aerial “Burma Road” route across the Himalaya mountains, transporting vital supplies to China.

Lt. Ring was born December 11, 1919, in Hooper, and grew to young manhood there. He was graduated from Hooper high school in 1936 and attended Nebraska university and Midland college two years. He then assisted his parents in publishing the Hooper Sentinel until his enlistment in the army air corps in January following the declaration of war.

He was sworn into service at Omaha in March, 1942, but was not called for training until May 9. He received his primary training in California, and his advanced training at Luke Field, Ariz.

The message of Lt. Ring’s death said that a letter with further details would follow.

Taken from the Hooper Sentinel and written by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert T. Ring.

Lt. Ted H. Ring Lost In Flight

After a week of heartshaking fears and anguish, alternated by faith and hope for the safety of our son, First Lieutenant Ted H. Ring, who was reported as missing in a flight between China and India on July 1st, the suspense and uncertainty was ended late Sunday afternoon when a second message brought word of his death in this same flight. No details were given but the message stated that a letter would follow.

Our only son, Theodore Herbert Ring, was born December 11, 1919 and was called to his eternal rest July 1, 1944, aged 24 years, six months and 20 days. He grew to young manhood in the town of his birth, graduated from high school in 1936. Subsequently he attended Nebraska University and Midland College for two years after which he assisted his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert T. Ring in publishing the Hooper Sentinel until his enlistment in the U. S. Army Air Corps in January following the declaration of war.

He was sworn into service at Omaha in March, 1942, but was not called for training until May 9th of that year, when he left for Santa Ana, Calif., for his pre-flight schooling. He received his primary training and basic training at Ontario and Lancaster, Calif., and his advanced training at Luke Field, Ariz. He was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Army Air corps and received his pilot wings on Feb. 6, 1943. From Class 43-B with which he graduated, Ted was one of a group of 50 selected for special training as air transport pilot and was subsequently trained by the American Airlines at Chicago, Ill., and at Fort Worth, Tex. After a short inactive period at Alpena, Mich., he was assigned to operational training at Homestyead, Fla., from which point he went to India in the early part of August of last year where he served until the time of his death.

He was one of the pilots who flew the hazardous route over the aerial "Burma Road," transporting vital supplies from India to China over the Himalaya mountains. For their meritorious achievement in this line of service, the comparatively small group of flyers of the India-China Wing of the Air Transport Command received a presidential citation and was awarded the army's Distinguished Unit Badge last December, the first time that a non-combatant group had ever been so honored. In March Ted received his promotion from second to first lieutenant.

In the last letter received from him and written the day before he made his last flight, our son spoke hopefully of accomplishing his required number of missions this fall and of being home by Christmas, "which is my sincere hope," a hope which has been realized according to God's heavenly plan and not according to our earthly prayers and wishes.

Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, he was a member of the Grace Lutheran church and his star of blue has changed to silver and now to gold upon its service flag.

We had him to love and cherish for 24 years--even as he loved and cherished us, his parents. To us he was a wonderful son. To his friends he was faithful and loyal. Of his comrades in service he spoke only in the highest terms of praise. He laid down his young life in the cause of his country, as many have done and many more will be called upon to do. He was our beloved son in whom we were well pleased.

Note: A note from George Jipp says he was a first cousin to Theodore. H is buried in Chsuba, India 2 July 1944 and then brought home and buried 14 June 1948 in Hooper, NE, Dodge, County. Find a Grave # 48793696

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~