 |
| Staff Sergeant Leroy Wilder was a radio operator on the B-17 Leapin' Liz in the 303rd Bombardment Group. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37056874 |
Leroy Wayne Wilder never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
Leroy was born on November 2, 1919 in Orleans, California. His parents Albert and Lillian were Native Americans and were both born in California. Leroy had three older sisters, six older brothers, two younger sisters, and one younger brother. His father worked as a miner, farmer, and a carpenter. Leroy’s parents evidently divorced at some point prior to the 1940 census, when Leroy was living with his father in Klamath, California.
Leroy was drafted into the Army Air Forces in October 1941 and trained as a radio operator. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, of the Eighth Air Force. The 303rd BG (nicknamed “Hell’s Angels”) was activated in February 1942 and was equipped with B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers. It was based at Molesworth, England and began flying combat missions over France and Germany in November 1942.
SSgt. Wilder was assigned to the crew of B-17F 41-24526, named Leapin’ Liz. SSgt. Wilder and the crew of the Leapin’ Liz flew their first combat mission on 23 November 1942 to bomb the German submarine pens at St. Nazaire, France. They completed three more combat missions by the end of 1942.
On 3 January 1943 SSgt. Wilder participated in his fifth combat mission, as the 303rd dispatched seventeen B-17s to St. Nazaire to bomb the German submarine torpedo storage areas. According to the 303rd BG mission report, the group encountered heavy flak and 25-35 enemy fighters. Four of the 303rd’s aircraft did not return from the mission, including the Leapin’ Liz, which was shot down by enemy fighters and ditched in the Bay of Biscay off of St. Brevin, France. SSgt Wilder and the rest of the crew did not survive.
The 303rd went on to fly more than 300 combat missions, more than any other B-17 group in the European theater.
Leroy Wayne Wilder is buried in Orleans Cemetery in Orleans California.
_____
This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
WW2 Fallen 100 is supported by
The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation
“Where Every Day is Memorial Day”
R.I.P.......SALUTE!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
ReplyDelete