Leonard Harry Monefeldt
Military ROLL OF HONOUR![Leonard Harry Monefeldt](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/2024-01/media-50246.jpeg)
Personal photograph
Object Number - UPL 50246 - Leonard Harry Monefeldt
Monefeldt was killed on voluntary duty on 24 March 1945 with the 2nd Scouting Force. He was flying P-51 Mustang 44-14441 on return from a mission to Nordhorn, Germany. His airfract suffered engine failure on approach to Steeple Morden and he crashed into a tree 2 miles short of the runway and was fatally injured.
From letter to family by Robert P. Lukeman, navigator: "... There was an element of greatness in your son. He was not haughty of mien, commanding in bearing or spectacular in any of his actions, but there was a strain of constancy, of purpose & solidity, like a thread of gold running through cloth, running through & ever present in everything he did... He was a good lad & did what he thought was right, always bringing out the best in us by example rather than by command... He did what he thought he should do, & did this whether it was the safe or convenient thing for himself, or not."
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
![Lieutenant-Colonel John A. Brooks III of the 2nd Scouting Force takes eye drops in the cockpit of his P-51 Mustang (YF-X, serial number 44-14309) nicknamed "Calamity Jane (Punkin)". Written on slide casing: 'John A Brooks III, 1945. Taking eye drops.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-388329.jpg?itok=86WUikCo)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
![The insignia of the 355th Fighter Group.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-395200.jpg?itok=WzVWYZf9)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
![The insignia of the 448th Bomb Group.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-395124.jpg?itok=n4DXIfug)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![Unofficial emblem of the 467th Bomb Group.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-395150.jpg?itok=tdQehooJ)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![The insignia of the 713th Bomb Squadron, 448th Bomb Group.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-395126.jpg?itok=SuZvSHt_)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
![The nose art of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Silver Chief" of the 467th Bomb Group.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-414473.jpg?itok=BLQDwhdw)
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Silver Chief
- Unit: 467th Bomb Group 789th Bomb Squadron 791st Bomb Squadron
Places
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-17399.jpeg?itok=XsUKqCxR)
- Site type: Cemetery
- Known as: Cambridge American Military Cemetery
![P-51 Mustangs of the 355th Fighter Group break formation, ready for landing, over the ground support vehicles and control tower of Steeple Morden Airfield. Image signed on reverse with the approval of station censor. Handwritten caption on reverse: '355 FG Steeple Morden, Control Tower, read crew + P41 [sic] group peeling off for landing.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-377141.jpg?itok=wPzYqvO6)
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Died |
24 March 1945 | ||
Buried/ Commemorated |
Cambridge American Cemetery |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in Healy's book on 467th BG, 1993 edition