Richard Proctor was born in 1920, the son of George and Irene Proctor. He was married to Sarah Proctor of Pennsylvania Avenue, Matamoras, Pike County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted with the United States Army Air Corps on 30th January 1942 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was on his 14th mission when he died aged 24. Proctor was a veteran of the 385th having flow a total of 13 missions before the fateful flight aboard “Stars and Stripes”. His first mission was on the 28 the July 1943 with the “Cerrone Crew” 42-5902 “Lady Liz” with whom he flew a further 8 missions. His previous mission on the 4th January had been with William Morris aboard the “Stars and Stripes” to bomb Kiel. He is buried in Plot B Row 4 Grave 12at the Cambridge American Cemetery at Coton in Cambridgeshire. He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight and which ranks behind the Distinguished Flying Cross in order of preference.
