SSGT Richard Gerald Salsbury Obituary (1924 - 1943)

Canaan sons remains to return home after 79 years missing in action. United States Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Richard G. Salsbury 19 years old, of Canaan, Maine, was killed during World War II. He had enlisted in the service the day after his 18th birthday. Richard was born January 4, 1924 son of Sewall B. Salsbury and Harriet Fowler Salsbury. Stepson of Maude Gower Salsbury. Brother of Walter Salisbury and brother in law of Golden Fitzgerald Salisbury. Uncle to the children of Walter and Golden Salisbury: Gale Salisbury Staples, Darrell Salisbury, Kimbley Salisbury DeGruchy, Cheryl Salisbury Pratt and Ann Salisbury Walker. On August 1, 1943 the B-24 Liberator aircraft which Richard was serving as gunner, crashed as a result of enemy aircraft fire during operation TIDAL WAVE, which was the largest bombing mission targeting the oil refineries at Ploisti, North of Bucharest, Romania. Richard G. Salsbury was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and other additional Army awards. Recently, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that they had been able to identify the remains of Richard G. Salsbury. Richard will be returned to his hometown of Canaan, where he will be laid to rest with family at The Fairview Cemetery on May 14th at 1 pm.