43-38096
R E S T R I C T E D
HEADQUARTERS 3D AIR DIVISION
Office of the Commanding General
APO 559
GENERAL ORDERS 22 May 1945
NUMBER 1027
AWARDS OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
Under the provisions of Army Regulation 600-45, 22 September 1943, and pursuant to authority contained in letter 200.6, Headquarters Eighth Air Force, dated 23 September 1944, Subject: “Awards and Decorations,” the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS is awarded to the following-named Officers for extraordinary achievement as set forth in citation.
* * *
OTIS G. LANCASTER, 0830871, Second Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement while serving as pilot of a B-17 aircraft on a heavy bombardment mission to Kolin, Czechoslovakia, April 18, 1945. Prior to reaching the target Lieutenant Lancaster lost altitude when he drew only partial power from one of his engines. Noticing his position below the formation, an enemy fighter attacked, hitting another engine which became inoperative. Though prepared for an emergency landing, Lieutenant Lancaster brought his plane to the English coast where he lost the use of all but one engine. Undaunted, he skillfully landed his plane safely on the one remaining engine without incurring further damage to plane or crew. The outstanding airmanship, courage, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Lancaster on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces of the United States.
* * *
BY COMMAND OF BRIGADIER GENERAL HARBOLD:
BEN RIMERMAN
Colonel, GSC,
Chief of Staff.
OFFICIAL:
John F. Thomas
Major, Air Corps,
Actg Adj General.
Distribution:
A
Copy of order and photograph in the possession of Otis G. Lancaster, deceased.
Object Number - UPL 32024 - Second Lieutenant Otis G. Lancaster of Hamilton, Mississippi receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross in May 1945 for mission flown on 18 April 1945...
B-17G-80-BO 43-38096 was delivered at Cheyenne, Wyoming on 25-Jun-44; Transferred to Kearny Field, Nebraska on 13-Jul-44; Transferred to Grenier Field, Manchester, New Hampshire on 23-Jul-44; Assigned to the 490th Bomb Group at Eye, UK on 26-Jul-1944; RETUS to Bradley Field Connecticut 7-Jul-1945; Transferred to the 4188 Bomb Unit, South Plains, Texas on 11-Jul-1945; Sent to the Reclaimation Finance Commission (RFC) at Kingman, Arizona and salvaged for scrap 18-Nov-45.
B-17 Aircraft flown by 2d Lt Otis G. Lancaster on Mission 156 by 490th BG on 18 April 1945 to Kolin and Pizen (Pilsen) Czechoslovakia. Mission Leader Major Wesson. Mission Commander Major Cochran. Lt Lancaster received the Distinguished Flying Cross for safely returning the aircraft and crew after first losing one engine to mechanical failure and dropping from formation and a second engine to a ME 262 strike and finally a third engine failing on return to the English coast, requiring a single engine landing.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 490th Bomb Group 848th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 0830871
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Brome
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 21-Dec-2015. All changes made from "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story", Roger A. Freeman.
Headquarters 3d Air Division, Office of the Commanding General, APO 559, General Orders Number 1027, dated 22 May 1945, Awards of Distinguish Flying Cross, By command of Brigadier General Harbold. Citation of Award to Otis G Lancaster, 0830871, Second Lieutenant.
