Raymond Joseph LeDoux
Military
Object Number - UPL 19663 - 2nd Lt Raymond J LeDoux.
Was on the B-17 that had its nose shot off by a German 88 anti-aircraft shell. The togglier, Sgt. George Abbott, was killed but LeDoux was only slightly injured. The nose was rammed up against the windshield . He stood behind the pilot, DeLancey and gave him the co-ordinates, from memory, to bring the plane back to base. He was awarded the DFC for his extraordinary navigation skill.
398th History, Vol II lists Raymond J. Ledoux, 2nd Lieutenant as being in the 601st BS in Sept 1944 being awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster.
Awards: DFC, AM (OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Article describing the mission in detail: - http://www.silverfalcons.com/downloads/real_word/2010_winter.pdf
Connections
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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: O-41351
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: 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 |
Mount Angel, OR | 19 November 1920 | Son of Louis Anthony and Mary Josephine [Schwab] LeDoux. |
|
Enlisted |
San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center, Texas | 22 October 1942 | San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center Texas |
|
Other Survived direct flak hit |
Cologne, Germany | 15 October 1944 | Within feet of bombardier who took direct hit flak shell, knocked unconscious by blast. aided pilots with navigation from memory to return the crippled bomber home to base. |
|
Other Awarded DFC |
Nuthampstead, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8, UK | 11 December 1944 | Awarded the DFC for his extraordinary navigation skill. December 11, 1944. |
|
Other Discharged USAAF |
10 November 1945 | Honourable discharge. | |
|
Died |
Portland, OR | 4 September 1989 | |
|
Buried |
Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah County, OR | 7 September 1989 | Willamette National Cemetery Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon |
|
Based |
Nuthampstead | Assigned to 603BS, 398BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
General Order 572 from Headquarters 1st Bombardment Division, Office of the Commanding General, by Command of Brigadier General Turner, dated 1 December 1944
AAM DB Entry.
B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Eighth Air Force by Martin W Bowman.
8th AF News / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia
