Killed in Action on 24 March 1945.



He had previously trained as a single engine aircraft pilot, and then converted to flying two-engined aircraft. Typically, he flew C-47s for the 440th Troop Carrier Group, but headquarters had issued an order in early 1945 dictating that due to the shortage of Glider pilots, pilots with single engine training would be re-trained as Glider Co-Pilots for the 24 March Mission.



Chandler was flying as Glider Co-Pilot in a glider carrying high-explosives, his glider was hit by anti-aircraft fire shortly after being cut loose from the tug and exploded in mid-air. Eyewitnesses determined that the glider was too close to the ground to allow the crew to bail out, and that the explosion was so violent, it was impossible for the crew escape alive.



Upon hearing of his death, Chandler's mother wrote to Leiutenant General Barney Miles, questioning whether her son's identitiy had been mistaken, there were three other Chandler's in the Group, and she was not aware he had undergone training to become a glider pilot before the mission.