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Teeple
Missing Over Greece
 (May 19, 1944) - A telegram from the war department yesterday brought Mr.
and Mrs. F. E. Shaw of Passaic avenue, the news that their son, S. Sgt.
Richard E. Teeple of the Army air force, has been reported missing in action
over Greece since April 25. No further details were given.
Sgt. Teeple had previously been awarded two medals, the Distinguished Flying
Cross and the Purple Heart, in August of last year.
On June 5, 1943, when he was a radio operator and gunner on a B-25, his plane was
shot down fighting over Pantelleria, Sicily. Although wounded himself, he
pulled a friend from the sinking plane and put him on a life raft. For this
act, he was awarded the D.F.C. Hospitalization from June 5 until Aug. 29
suspended his active service in the air corps temporarily.
Sgt. Teeple enlisted in the army on June 11, 1942, and took his basic
training in Scott Field, Ill. He went overseas in March of last year, first
to South America, and then to North Africa. While in North Africa, he
participated in bombing raids over Europe, and at the beginning of the new
year was transferred to a base in Italy.
Since his transfer, however, he had been doing reconnaissance and liaison
work instead of participating in bombing missions. It is supposed that he
was on some liaison mission when his plane was downed on April 25.
Previous to his enlistment in the air force, Teeple was employed at Foot
Pierson, Newark, makers of radio parts for bombers. He was a graduate of
Nutley high school. He has one brother, Charles Jr., a junior at Nutley
high.
S-SGT. R. E. TEEPLE KILLED IN ACTION
Parents Learn That Son's Plane
Crashed Over Greece April 25
(Dec. 1. 1944) Word that their
son, S/Sgt. Richard E. Teeple, previously reported missing, was killed in
action April 25 over Greece has been received here from the War Department
by Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Teeple of Centre Street, formerly of Passaic avenue.
S-Sgt. Teeple was a radio gunner
on a B-25 and was based near Naples. From friends of the son, Mr. and Mrs.
Teeple have learned that the plane with a crew of seven, took off at night
on a reconnaissance trip and ran into a storm over the Balkans, crashing
into a mountain. All were killed except for the navigator who remained with
the Greek underground for a time and eventually worked his way back to his
base.
The young man would have been 22
years old on New Year's Eve.
DFC, AIR MEDAL
TO S-SGT. TEEPLE
Posthumously Awards Presented
Brother at Weequahic Park Ceremonies
(March 30, 1945) - A Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with three
Oak Leaf Clusters, posthumously awarded S-Sgt. Richard E. Teeple were
presented to his 16-year-old brother Charles of Centre street, last
Thursday in ceremonies at Weequahic park Newark.
S-Sgt. Teeple's father, Frank E. Teeple, was to have received the awards but
was unable to attend because of illness. Mrs. Teeple accompanied her son,
Charles.
S-Sgt. Teeple was reported missing in action over Greece April 25, 1944, and
later his parents were notified that he had been killed in action that same
day.
He was graduated from Nutley High school and worked at Bendix and Foote
Pierson in Newark, makers of radio parts for bombers, before entering
service.
The Distinguished Flying Crosscitation stated:
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the
North African Theatre of Operations as radio-gunner on a B-25 type
aircraft. While over Pantelleria June 5, 1943, his formation was heavily
attacked by enemy fighters and his plane was severely damaged. Although
painfully wounded in the head, arms and legs, and with the electrical
control system of his guns destroyed, Sgt. Teeple steadfastly remained at
his post. Expertly manning his damaged guns, he played a conspicuous part in
warding off repeated fighter attacks. When his aircraft crash-landed on the
seas, regardless of his own wounds, he carried an injured comrade out of the
plane, hoisted him into a life raft. His resolute courage and his unfailing
devotion to duty have reflected great credit upon himself and the armed
forces of the United States."
The Air Medal with three Clusters was awarded for meritorious achievement on
missions against the enemy.
S SG Richard E. Teeple
ID: 12093417
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Hometown: Essex County, NJ
Status: KIA
From The Nutley Sun
May 19, 1944
TEEPLE MISSING OVER GREECE
Dec. 1, 1944
S-SGT. R. E. TEEPLE KILLED IN ACTION
March 30, 1945
DFC, AIR MEDAL TO S-SGT. TEEPLE
American Legion Post 70
Memorial
National World War II Memorial
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