Lawrence M DeLancey
MilitaryPiloted B-17G 43-38172 'Lovely Julie' on 15 Oct 44 which suffered the explosion of a German 88 anti aircraft shell in the nose. With the help of the Navigator 1st Lt Raymond J LeDoux he was able to bring the plane back to base. 'He did a miraculous feat of flying skill' according to Gen. Doolittle.
Award Citation:
Immediately after bombs away Lt. Delancey's aircraft was hit by flak. A shell pierced the chin turret and exploded in the nose, killing the bombardier and destroying practically all the instruments. The entire nose section was shorn off and all that remained was a tangled mass of instruments, wires and sheet metal.
With the oxygen equipment ruined and a sub-zero gale rushing through the plane, Lt. Delancey descended to a lower altitude and headed out of enemy territory. Flying at reduced speed and unable to take proper protective measures with his off-balanced plane, he was subjected to every conceivable type of ground fire.
By sheer determination and tenacity he managed to bring the battered aircraft over the home base. Without proper brakes Lt. Delancey climaxed this miraculous feat of flying skill and ability by accomplishing a safe landing.
His actions under conditions which would have caused a less courageous pilot to abandon his aircraft are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Army Air Forces. Entered the military service from Oregon.
By Command of Lieutenant General DOOLITTLE
Silver Star; Oak Leaf Cluster (Sept 1944)
Article describing the mission in detail: - http://www.silverfalcons.com/downloads/real_word/2010_winter.pdf
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19061627 / O-768822
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-699463
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: 2 Sad Lovely Julie
- Unit: 2nd Strategic Air Depot 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 15 October 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Polk County, OR, USA | 7 September 1919 | Birth:07 Sep 1919. Dallas, Polk County, OR, USA. |
Other Piloted Severely damaged A/C home |
Cologne, Germany | 15 October 1944 | Pilot B-17G 43-38172 'Lovely Julie' which suffered the explosion of a German 88 anti aircraft shell in the nose. With the help of the Navigator 1st Lt Raymond J LeDoux he was able to bring the plane back to base. |
Other Awarded Silver Star |
Nuthampstead, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8, UK | 11 December 1944 | Awarded the Silver Star for his extraordinary piloting skill. December 11, 1944. |
Died |
San Luis Obispo County, CA, USA | 11 September 1955 | Death:11 Sep 1995. San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. |
Born |
Corvallis, OR, USA | Corvallis, Oregon, USA. | |
Born |
Corvallis, OR, USA | Corvallis, Benton County, OR, USA. | |
Born |
China Lake, Ridgecrest, CA 93555, USA | China Lake, CA, USA. | |
Born |
Morro Bay, CA, USA | Moro Bay, CA, USA. | |
Enlisted |
Oregon, USA |
Revisions
8th AF News / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia