Ernest L. Byfield, Jr
Personal details
Born1914
Chicago. Parents
Died1999
NativityUnited States
ReligionProtestant
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
Arm / serviceInfantry
ASN0343312
RankCaptain
Rank at RitchieSecond Lieutenant
Camp RitchieClass 4 (6 January – 6 March 1943)
Section8
Research notes on this page are compiled from the source file and later edits. They may be unverified, incomplete, or incorrect, and should not be treated as established fact. Please correct the article or add sources on the talk page. For class-roster terms, see About the data.
Sources & confidence: Treat Research notes as leads, not settled fact. Prefer NARA, the class roster, newspapers, Find a Grave, or published histories for contested claims. Mark unsourced claims with {{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 edit

Byfield served as liaison to OC of S BPR. Ernest worked as a 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. He served as liaison to OC of S BPR.

Research notes edit

  • Also GerOB 5
  • OSS

Technical record edit

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 edit

  • Born 12 December 1914 in Chicago. Parents were of Austrian origin.
  • 15 May 1942 — Entered Army as 2nd Lt. (ASN 0343312).
  • 6 March 1943 — Graduated with Class 4 (MII French).
  • 5 August 1943 — Promoted to 1st Lt.
  • 20 August 1943 — Released from Camp Ritchie. Assigned to OSS.
  • 1 July 1944 — Promoted to Captain; assigned to HQ ETOUSA.
  • 10 September 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 edit

  • 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)