Phillip Howard Leckrone
Military ROLL OF HONOUR
Object Number - UPL 17842 - P/O Phillip Howard Leckrone 71 [Eagle] Sqn RAF sat in the cockpit of his Spitfire.
Leckrone traveled to Britain in 1940 and enlisted in the Royal Air Force. Following conversion to the Spitfire at No 7 OTU RAF Hawarden he joined No. 616 Squadron at RAF Kenley on 2 September 1940. He flew more than two dozen sorties over the English Channel as a tail-end Charlie in 616 Squadron. He was later posted to No. 71 Squadron at RAF Church Fenton on 12 October 1940, to join other American volunteers in the first 'Eagle' squadron.
On 5 January 1941, Leckrone was taking part in a formation practice when he collided with P/O Edwin Ezell Orbison, who was able to reach base and safety. Leckrone went into a tail-spin and plunged toward the ground. Pilot Officer Vernon Keogh, who was flying in formation practice at 20,000 feet with Orbison and Leckrone, followed Leckrone down, shouting at him over the radio telephone. "Bail out! Bail out!" Leckrone did not reply and made no attempt to bail out. He died on impact and was the first fatality in No. 71 Squadron.
1939–45 campaign star and BoB Clasp
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: 84659
- Highest Rank: Pilot Officer
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Assigned |
Royal Air Force Kenley Tribute, Kenley, Kenley, Greater London CR8, UK | 2 September 1940 | Assigned No 616 Sqn at RAF Kenley on 2 Sept 1940. |
|
Other Transferred |
Church Fenton, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire LS24, UK | 12 October 1940 | Transferred to 71 [Eagle]Sqn RAF. |
|
Died |
Lincolnshire, UK | 5 January 1941 | During formation practice, collided with P/O Edwin E Orbison, who was able to reach base and safety. Leckrone went into a tail-spin and plunged toward the ground, making no attempt to bale out and went in, KIFA. |
|
Born |
Salem, IL, USA | Salem, Illinois, USA. | |
|
Other Joined RAF |
England, UK | Joined Royal Air Force. | |
|
Other Conversion training |
Hawarden, Deeside, Flintshire CH5, UK | Trained at No 7 OTU RAF Hawarden. | |
|
Buried |
Kirton in Lindsey, Gainsborough, North Lincolnshire DN21, UK | Buried in Kirton-in-Lindsey Cemetery, Lincolnshire. |
