Soft launch: Soldier biographies and research notes vary in completeness. Prefer class-roster, NARA, newspapers, and other cited sources for contested facts — treat Research notes as leads, not settled history. Anyone can correct a page; contact us with questions.
Eric Hess
| Eric Hess | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 October 1924 Germany |
| Died | 15 March 2022 |
| Nativity | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| ASN | 32899350 |
| Rank | Technician Third Grade |
| Rank at Ritchie | Private |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 11 (25 August – 23 October 1943) |
| Section | 5D |
| Enlisted | New York City, New York |
| Team | IPW 71 |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Eric Hess (1924–2022) was a Ritchie Boy (from Germany; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 11 and served with IPW Team 71.
Biography
We've recently been contacted by a family member of Ritchie Boy Eric Hess, who is living in Lakewood, New Jersey. RB Hess was born in Germany in October 1924. He emigrated to the United States and was enrolled in the US Army in April 1943. He was in the 11th Class at Camp Ritchie which ran from Aug 25, 1943 to Oct 23, 1943. Ritchie Boy Eric Hess was assigned to IPW Team 71, which was attached to the 28th Infantry ("Keystone"). More to follow.
I'm saddened to report the recent passing of another Ritchie Boy. Eric Hess, who was born in Germany on October 28, 1924 died on March 15, 2022 in Lakewood, New Jersey. Ritchie Boy Hess joined the US Army on April 29, 1943 as a private. He was transferred to Camp Ritchie and trained in the 11th Class, and graduated October 23, 1943. He arrived in England on May 10, 1944. RB Eric Hess was assigned to IPW Team 71, which was attached to the 28th Infantry Division. His teammates included: Lt. Zachary Metz Class 16 Lt. Ernest Fischl Class 8 T/Sgt Robert Gould Class 11 S/Sgt Hans Adler Class 9 T/3 Gerald Schlesinger Class 11 T/5 Eric Hess Class 11
Research notes
- 10/28/1924-A
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Nara ASN | 32899350 |
| Nara Name | HESS ERIC |
| Nara State | 23 |
| Nara County | 61 |
| Nara POE | 2364 |
| Nara DOE | 290443 |
| Nara Grade Alpha | PVT |
| Nara Grade Code | 8 |
| Nara Branch Alpha | NO |
| Nara Branch Code | 2 |
| Branch | No branch assignment |
| Nara Term or Enlistment | 5 |
| Term of enlistment | Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law |
| Defer. Date | 0 |
| Nara Source | 0 |
| Nara Nativity | N1 |
| Nara Year of Birth | 24 |
| Nara Race | J |
| Nara Race Description | White not yet a citizen |
| Nara Education | 5 |
| Nara Civilian Occupation | 621 |
| Nara Marital Status | 6 |
| Nara Height (inches) | 88 |
| Nara Weight (lbs) | 103 |
| Class_ASN | 32899350 |
| Class_Name | HESS, Eric |
| match_method | asn_exact_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
Timeline
- Assigned to IPW Team 71 attached to the 28th Infantry Division Personnel of IPW 71.
Sources
- Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
- Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records
- NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
- 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-06-21 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2022-03-21 (1 post)
- Dan Gross, Timeline of Eric Hess for Camp Ritchie (private research document; 1 source documents reviewed)
- Dan Gross, Timeline of Hess, Eric for Camp Ritchie (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 1 source files: ERIC HESS (2021).docx)