Polk County

 

Lt. Edward James Rice

 

Edward James Rice was born Apr. 2, 1920 to Henry T. and Lucille McHenry Rice. He died July 5, 1945 and is memorialized at the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.

Lt. Rice served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 371st Bomber Squadron, 307th Bomber Group, Heavy and was MIA/FOD/KIA as a crew member of a Liberator bomber which was attacked and severely damaged by enemy aircraft and crashed into the sea near Yap Island, one of the Caroline Islands. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart and Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Source: ancestry.com