Lewis Ezell Lanford
1940
Vocational Agriculture Education
Cadet Sergeant; Calhoun Forensic Society; 4-H Club; Dairy Club; Rifle Team; B.S.U. Council; “Tiger” staff; ROTC Camp Fort McClellan, Alabama
Woodruff, South Carolina
Army Air Force, First Lieutenant
344th Bomb Group, 496th Bomb Squadron
Jun 8, 1919
Mar 9, 1945
Pilot of bomber which was said to have exploded mid-air after being hit by flak over Germany.
Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky
SW
Additional Information
WWII Army Enlistment Record on Lewis E. Lanford indicates he enlisted in the Air Corps at Fort Jackson on June 2, 1941, had 4 years of college and his occupation was secondary teacher and principal. Extracted from The National Archives website:
March 9, 1945 344th Bomb Group, 496th Bomb Squadron Mission
The 344th BG history tells that it was believed that all of the personnel lost their lives in the crash. The book contains a reprint of the 344th BG official history so it seems to me that the text is in accord with the time it was written (WWII). I have searched for more info, and cannot find any names listed at American Battle Monuments Commission. Further search for the possible surnames of the crew resulted in these hypotheses:
Pilot Lt. L.E. Lanford => Lewis E. Lanford
Co-Pilot Lt. C. S. Lohnes => Clarence S. Lohnes
Bombardier Lt. H. M. Hague => Harold H. Hague
GEE OPERATOR Lt. C. Athy => Robinson C. Athy
Engineer-Gunner Sgt. G. A. Glick => George A. Glick, also confirmed as POW from 344th BG on March 9th 1945.
Radio-Gunner Sgt. G. Boardingham => George Boardingham
Tail Gunner C. G. Barnes => Clyde G. Barnes ? CECIL G. BARNES
Extract from: https://forum.armyairforces.com/March-9-1945-344th-BG-496th-BS-Mission-m137413.aspx
Casualty Questionnaire
Name: Charles F. Athy, Jr. Rank : 1st Lt. S/N: 02061211 Date of Crash: 9 March 1945 What was the mission? PFF, Target- Biebrick, Germany Where were you when you bailed out? Between Weisbaden and Biebrick, Germany Did you bail out? Yes Did other members of the crew bail out? Yes, S/Sgt. George Glick Where did your aircraft strike the ground? No Knowledge What was the cause of the crash? Enemy anti-aircraft Type of Aircraft: B-26B55List of Crew
Pilot Lanford, Lewis E. 1st Lt. 0-433088 Co-Pilot Lohnes, Clarence s. 2nd Lt. 0-782311 Bomb Hague, Harry M. 1st Lt. 0-744309 Rad-Gun Boardingham Jr., George T/Sgt. 20249506 Eng-Gun Glick, George A. T/Sgt. 37357621 Tail-Gun Barnes, Cecil G. S/Sgt. 37048288 Gee-OPR. Athy Jr., Charles F. 2nd Lt. 0-2061211Number of Persons Aboard Aircraft: Crew: 7 Passengers: 0 Total: 7
Eyewitness Descriptions
In the vicinity of the target area, I saw aircraft number 42-96094, piloted by Lt. Lanford, just after it pulled out of formation. The aircraft appeared to be sliding off and then lost control went into a spin, then aircraft burst into flame. I did not see the aircraft crash. Members of my crew stated that they saw two men leave the aircraft. One (1) chute opened. One man made a delayed jump, and chute was not seen open.
Clarence A. Schorr 1st Lt., Air Corps, Bomb., 494th Bomb Sq.Just before the target I noticed the aircraft piloted by Lt. Lanford. The left engine appeared to be smoking. Aircraft pulled left out of formation and pulled up on a wing, the aircraft was burning and went down in a dive. Aircraft appeared to explode just above the overcast. I saw two men leave the aircraft. I did not see any chutes open, as I followed the descent of the aircraft instead of the men.
Allan W. Arneson 1st Lt., Air Corps, Bomb., 494th Bomb Sq.I saw the aircraft piloted by Lt. Lanford, just after it was hit by flak. Aircraft appeared to be hit in the left engine and was smoking badly. Aircraft pulled out of the formation. Left engine burst into flame, aircraft was falling off on left wing. I saw two objects which appeared to be men leave the aircraft. I did not see any chutes open. I did not see the plane crash.
Mitchell Dozet 2nd Lt., Air Corps, Co-Pilot, 494th Bomb Sq. Spartanburg Herold 10/5/1945 p2Related Images Click to Enlarge
