Lloyd Lavert Burns
MilitaryAssigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. Lt Burns lied about his age, with his father's permission and joined the AAF at 18 instead of 19. Flew all his missions, between Apr 44 and June 44. He was just 20 years old when he completed them and the youngest first pilot to command a B-17, (at the time). 30 x missions. On one mission had to land out of fuel on a Spitfire Fighter base near coast; on another brake hydraulics shot out resulting in end of runway crash; on another elevator controls jammed by enemy fire resulting in a hairy landing; and finally a mid-air collision on 29th mission: bailed out, landing in water of Thames estuary off Canvey Island on 19th June 1944 having collided with another plane on return from Zudausques, France mission on return over Gravesend, Thames Estuary, England. Rescued from the water by Royal Marines.
Had swapped position with Fred Kauffman to allow him more flight experience, a decision he rued for the rest of his life, had he been in position would have been killed in the collision.
Awards: DFC, AM (4OLC), Distinguished Unit Citation, WWII Victory, EAME.
He afterwards qualified as an MD.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37459263
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15327918 / T-123955
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37083074
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
Missions
Places
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Atlanta, Georgia | 20 March 1925 | Son of Daniel L and Annie M Burns. |
Enlisted |
Moody Field, Valdosta, GA | 26 May 1942 | Moody Field, Valdosta, Georgia |
Other Baled out RTD |
Canvey Island | 19 June 1944 | Returned from Zudausques mission in B-17 42-97942; A/C collided with 44-6133 in the haze and crashed into the Thames Estuary. RTD MACR 6983 |
Other Discharged USAAF |
28 November 1945 | Honourable discharge. | |
Died |
Peachtree City, GA | 16 June 2010 | |
Buried |
Greenwood Cemetery Atlanta, Fulton County, GA | 20 June 2010 | Greenwood Cemetery Atlanta, Fulton County, GA Section A |
Based |
Kimbolton | Assigned to 525BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
Valdosta, GA |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/record/84005636-lloyd-l-burns
https://www.fold3.com/image/28680852?terms=42-97942
https://www.fold3.com/image/155066535?rec=155066747
https://www.fold3.com/record/628183797-lloyd-burns-1924
https://www.fold3.com/record/111500405-lloyd-lavert-burns
http://8thairforce.com/
http://www.379thbga.org/Looking4%201160-1151%20p16.htm
http://www.379thbga.org/war_stories_ANDREWS.htm
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/146747172/lloyd-l-burns
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self MACR 6983; 379th Bombardment Group Anthology, pg 309