Roy E Loyless
MilitaryIWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Roy joined the Army Air Corps when he turned 18. He received his wings at Kingman, AZ, completed final training in Sioux City, IA. He was subsequently sent to England without a furlough because of the need for bomber crews after D-Day. On his 15th mission, November 2nd, 1944 his crew was sent to Merseburg. On that mission, his B-17 was hit by flak and caught fire. He bailed out into sub-freezing weather only to begin a seven month ordeal as a prisoner of war.
He was awarded the Purple Heart, two air medals, the Prisoner of War medal, Europe, Africa and Middle East medals, Northern France medal with 3 battle stars and the air combat medal. The French government awarded Roy the Legion of Honor, their highest award given to citizens, equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor, for his decisive role in the liberation of France.
Roy was married to his wife Joyce, for 71 years and was blessed with two daughters and two grandsons. (written by daughter Renee)
Shot down, 15th mission, Merseburg 2 November 1944. Prisoner of War (POW), Stalag Luft IV, Stalag Luft I. Captured -- in new Ford truck, Henry Ford plant Cologne during War. Might have got away if it hadn't been for Ford truck the home guard had.
AM 3Oak Leaf Cluster, PH, American Campaign, POW, Victory, Good Conduct, EAME
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-767031
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-761845
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 2 November 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
El Paso, Texas, United States | 23 September 1925 | |
Died |
Kerrville, Texas | 17 April 2017 | |
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Barth, Germany | 2 November 1944 |
Revisions
Update on 19 May 2017 by Patrick Milward, author of B-17 Qualified Quail and honored to have been a friend of Roy Loyless
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 10141 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / self /MACR 10141