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.
Ernest L. Byfield, Jr
| Ernest L. Byfield, Jr | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1914 Chicago. Parents were of Austrian origin |
| Died | 1999 |
| Nativity | United States |
| Religion | Protestant |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Arm / service | Infantry |
| ASN | 0343312 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Rank at Ritchie | Second Lieutenant |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 4 (6 January – 6 March 1943) |
| Section | 8 |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Ernest L. Jr Byfield (1914–1999) was a Ritchie Boy (from United States; Protestant) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 4.
Biography
Philip Issenman from Canada has contacted me about RB Ernest Byfield Jr. Issenman had taped an interview with Ernie, who also served in the OSS, and has offered to share it with the Camp Ritchie Community.
The timeline research also records 4/44 to 9/44 Executive Officer, SI Field Detachment, 3rd Army. Worked as broadcaster for NBC International Division; wrote scripts and served as news commentator. Worked on preparation of field manual. Served as liaison to OC of S BPR.
Research notes
- Also GerOB 5
- OSS
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Approx Age at Death | 85 |
| Class_ASN | 343312 |
| Class_Name | Byfield, Ernest L. |
| match_method | asn_exact_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
Timeline
- 12/12/1914 Born in Chicago. Parents were of Austrian origin.
- 5/15/1942 Entered Army as 2nd Lt. (ASN 0343312).
- 1/6/1943 Started Class 4 at Camp Ritchie.
- 8/5/1943 Promoted to 1st Lt.
- 8/20/1943 Released from Camp Ritchie. Assigned to OSS.
- 7/1/1944 Promoted to Captain; assigned to HQ ETOUSA.
- 9/10/1945 Released from OSS service.
- 4/44 to 9/44 Executive Officer, SI Field Detachment, 3rd Army. In charge of.
- Served with C.I.A.
- Worked as broadcaster for NBC International Division; wrote scripts and served as news commentator.
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 2015-07-09 (1 post)
- Dan Gross, Timeline of Ernest L. Jr Byfield for Camp Ritchie (private research document; 1 source documents reviewed)
- Dan Gross, Timeline of Byfield, Ernest L. Jr for Camp Ritchie (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 1 source files: ERNEST BYFIELD JR.doc)