Major General Ralph Royce
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF)

Background
Ralph Royce was born on June 28, 1890 to parents George Allen Royce and Kate Florence Ely Royce in Marquette, Michigan. On March 1, 1910 he entered the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point class of 1914. On June 12, 1914 commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry.

World War II
In April 1941 promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and a month later became Assistant Military Attaché at the American Embassy in London. In July 1941 he became Military Attaché for Air.

After the United States entered World War II, sent to the Pacific arriving at the conclusion of the Java Campaign then evacuated to Australia. During January 1942 became the Chief of the Air Staff, US Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA).

In March 1942, Lt. General Jonathan M. Wainwright requested bombers sent to the Philippines to break the Japanese blockade and allow supplies from Cebu to reach Corregidor. On April 7, 1942 in Melbourne a conference of senior leaders including General Douglas MacArthur, General George, Col. James H. Davies and other senior officers to address Wainwright's request. The mission was assigned to Royce and dubbed the Royce Mission.

Royce Mission in the Philippines
On April 11, 1942 Royce was aboard B-17E "San Antonio Rose II" 41-2447 that took off at 11:00am took off from Batchelor Field near Darwin to personnaly command the Royce Mission on a flight 1,500 miles northward arriving in the afternoon at Del Monte Airfield on Mindanao in the Philippines.

The Royce Mission was flown by ten B-25C Mitchells and three B-17E Flying Fortresses back to the Philippines for two days of strikes on April 12, 1942 and April 13, 1942. The Royce Mission was a success because no American aircraft or personnel were lost flying the combat missions. For leading the Royce Mission, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).

Afterwards, Royce became North-Eastern Area Commander and was stationed at Townsville. His Chief of Staff was Air Commodore Lukis and personal driver WAAAF Jan Arthur.

Afterwards, Royce returned to the United States and commanded the southeast training command then the 1st Air Force (1st AF). In September 1943 assigned to the Middle East and after D-Day became the Deputy Commander of the 9th Air Force (9th AF).

Postwar
On June 30, 1946 retired with the rank of Major General. During his career rated as Command Pilot, Combat Observer, Aircraft Observer, and Technical Observer. On October 18, 1997 inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame.

Memorials
On August 7, 1965 at age 75 passed away from leukemia in Homestead, FL. Afterwards he was cremated with his ashes scattered over Selfridge AFB in Michigan.

Ralph Royce (grandson)
Head of an aviation museum outside Houston and previously was the head of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).

References
Oz@War Major-General Ralph Royce United States Air Corps (USAC) in Australia during WW2
U,S. Air Force Biographies - Major General Ralph Royce (photo)
FindAGrave - MG Ralph Royce (photos)

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