U.S. Army Air Force Captain

Oran Everett Petrich

Sturgis, South Dakota

Meade County

Died June 25, 1943

Killed in Action in North Sea

Oran “Jack” Everett Petrich was born in California. His mother, Gertrude, died in 1934 in Rapid City. Oran was raised by his aunt and uncle, Percy and Anna Helm, in Sturgis, South Dakota. Oran graduated from Sturgis High School in 1938, where he was “an all-star football and basketball player. He won the State championship in long distance running and was well known and liked by everyone that knew him.” After graduation, Oran attended Hibbing University at Hibbing, Minnesota, until he entered the service.

On September 1, 1941, Oran Petrich entered active service in the Army Air Corps at Baker’s Field in California. He graduated from the Advanced Flying School at Luke Field, and “during his flying career he received praise from superiors who were gratified with the leadership and self-reliance that he displayed.” On May 1, 1943, Petrich went overseas as part of the 349th Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group, Heavy.

On June 25, 1943, Captain Oran Petrich, pilot of a Flying Fortress, was listed as missing in action after a raid on Bremen, Germany. His commanding officer wrote to his family,

The plane in which Oran was flying was last seen as it went into a heavy cloud formation.

The planes in that group were not seen again, so few details are available. Oran was such a fine

character and so much enjoyed doing his job which he did so completely that his absence has been

keenly felt by everyone in the Squadron. We all hold the hopes that he will walk in on us one of

these days with a thrilling story of his way back to England….Knowing Oran—if there’s one

chance in a million he’ll grasp that chance and make the most of it. I’m looking for him back, and

you must do the same.

In the Rapid City Journal in July of 1944, when Oran was listed as “presumed dead,” Anna Helm, his aunt, said she wouldn’t “give up hope” that he may turn up safely. Captain Oran E. Petrich is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Sheila Hansen, Fallen Sons State Coordinator, Spearfish, SD. Information for this entry was provided by an application for a SD veteran’s bonus payment, Sturgis Tribune, 8/26/43, 7/13/44 issues, and the Rapid City Journal, 7/7/44 issue.

Oran E Petrich