Richard Lear Alexander

Military
media-18842.jpeg UPL 18842 Capt Richard Lear Alexander 335th FS, 4th FG, 8AF USAAF, formerly a 133 [Eagle] Sqn RAF Spitfire pilot.

Object Number - UPL 18842 - Capt Richard Lear Alexander 335th FS, 4th FG, 8AF USAAF, formerly a 133 [Eagle] Sqn RAF Spitfire pilot.

He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in October 1940, and was awarded his pilot wings on September 15, 1941, joining the 133 Eagle Squadron in England. Alexander was credited with destroying 1 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 1 probable, before transferring to the U.S. Army Air Forces and joining the 4th Fighter Group on September 23, 1942. He joined the 109th Observation Squadron in January 1943, and then the 2nd Fighter Squadron of the 52nd Fighter Group in North Africa in April 1943. Lt Alexander destroyed another 4 enemy aircraft in the air from February to May 1944, giving him a total of 5 destroyed and 1 probable for World War II. He was shot down and taken as a Prisoner of War on May 30, 1944, and was held until his camp was liberated in May 1945. While serving with the 60th Fighter Squadron of the 33rd Fighter Group in Germany in January 1947, he was involved in an accident and lost his right arm. Capt Alexander was medically retired from the Air Force on February 7, 1948.

Post War: Owner/operator Dick Alexander Limited

National Sales Manager, Herschede Hall Clock Co.

Author, They Called Me Dixie (1988)



DFC Citation:

'His Distinguished Flying Cross Citation reads: For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as pilot of a P-51 type aircraft. On 24 May 1944 Lt. Alexander participated as escort to heavy bombers attacking enemy installations in Austria. Turning from the target after a highly successful bombing run the bomber formation was attacked from the rear by five enemy fighters. With complete disregard for the overwhelming odds Lt. Alexander immediately turned into the enemy aircraft forcing them to break off their attacks. In the ensuing engagement he singled out one enemy fighter and through outstanding combat skill he succeeded in destroying it. Re-joining his formation he escorted the bombers safely to base without loss. By his outstanding courage, combat proficiency and devotion to duty together with personal combat record of three enemy aircraft destroyed and over sixty five successful missions against the enemy Lt. Alexander has upheld the highest traditions of the Military service thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.'

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

Flying Officer Lee Gover of No. 133 Eagle Squadron, RAF in the cockpit of his Spitfire Mk. V nicknamed "Sondra-Lee", 1942. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'F/O Lee Gover RCAF, 133 Eagle Sqdn, 1942.'
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Nicknames: Sondra Lee IX
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group 107th Reconnaissance Squadron 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Nicknames: Dixie MK IV
  • Unit: No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 133 'Eagle' Squadron

Places

  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Stalag Luft III, Sagan, Germany

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Grant Park, IL 60940, USA 22 July 1914 Son of Harry and Ada [Zimmerman] Alexander.

Based

23 September 1942 - 30 May 1944 Transferred to USAAF. Assigned to 133FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Zagan, Poland 30 May 1944 Prisoner of War (POW). Stalag Luft III.

Other

Baled out POW

30 May 1944 Shot down, baled out. POW

Died

Piper City, IL 60959, USA 19 April 1993

Buried

Brenton Cemetery, Piper City, IL 22 April 1993 Brenton Cemetery, Piper City, Illinois, USA.
Grant Park, IL 60940, USA

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
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Contributorjmoore43
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Sources

Added POW Camp info to the POW event from WW2 POW records at the National Archives (NARA).
Added an association to Stalag Luft 3 per WW2 POW records at the National Archives (NARA).

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
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Date
Contributorjmoore43
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Sources

Added an association to the 4th FG as listed in the "Summary biography".

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the S/N to aid clarity & consistency.

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Contributormvandemark
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Sources

updated from bio

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Contributor466thHistorian
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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorAAM
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Richard Lear Alexander: Gallery (3 items)