Hampton Rich - 1st Lieutenant

Rank: 1st Lieutenant
Date Of Death: Oct 12, 1943
War / Conflict: World War II
Hometown: Clinton, Iowa
Gold Star Hall - Wall Location: West Wall (by Entrance Door)

Biography

Hampton was born in 1917 in Virginia and served as a First Lieutenant & Pilot on B-24D "Pistol Packin Mama" #42-40594, 321st Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army during World War II.

He resided in Clinton County, Iowa prior to the war. Year at ISU: 1940

B-24D #42-40594 took off, with a crew of 10 & other B-24's, from Wards Drome (APO #929), National Capital District, Papua New Guinea on a bombing mission. They were seen to make a water landing and were not heard from after that.

Hampton was declared "Missing In Action" on this mission during the war. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.