Racine's World War II hero is laid to rest; Airplane shot down on September 27, 1944

RACINE, Wis. – A World War II hero from Wisconsin is back home after 80 years. A military funeral in Racine County on Friday, September 27th marked the death knell for the soldier's family.

Police squads and American flags led us to Graceland Cemetery in Racine to honor a hero.

“To pay our respects to a fallen soldier,” Gary Washburn said.

World War II Staff Sergeant Ralph Bode, a Racine native, was declared missing in action on September 27, 1944. He was aboard a B-24H “Liberator” during a bombing run over Kassel, Germany, when his plane was shot down.

Thanks to the efforts of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, the remains recovered near the wreck site were positively identified as belonging to SSgt Bode.

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The event will culminate in a military flyover at 10:03 a.m., marking the exact moment his plane was lost in 1944.

Bode was buried in southeastern Wisconsin on Friday.

“He was believed to have died in this accident, but his parents went to their graves not knowing for certain that he had actually died,” said Shawn Rivers, Racine County Veteran Service Officer. “It is an emotional time for me as an American. It is an emotional time for our community and for the outpouring of support and love and affection shown to it.”

Prayers and tears were shared as family and community laid to rest the World War II hero. The event culminated in a military flyover at 10:03 a.m., marking the exact moment Bode's aircraft was lost in 1944.

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“I found out that (Bode) would have been 100 years old. He graduated from Park High School the same year my father graduated from Park High School. “I can't help but think the two must have known each other,” said Sue Wanggaard, a retired member of the Racine Fire Department.

“My father, her grandfather, was in World War II. “So we know how much this means to the family of the fallen soldier and to this community,” Washburn said. “It took him a long time to get home and then he was happy that they had finally found him. And he actually came home.”

Although the Bode family didn't want to be in front of the camera, they wanted to thank everyone for their love and support.