Lewis E Lyle

Military
An airman of the 303rd Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '6-9-43 C.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp]. media-407606.jpg FRE 4222 Major General Lewis E. Lyle, pilot and later CO of the 303rd Bomb Group. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '6-9-43 C.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp]. Roger Freeman Collection

removal of material as in wrong place: disregard previous sources under this user

Object Number - FRE 4222 - Major General Lewis E. Lyle, pilot and later CO of the 303rd Bomb Group. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has...

17-Feb-42 Assigned as a Pilot with 303BG/360BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 6-Mar-42 assigned as Pilot with crew of B-17F #41-24559 [PU-F] "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 12-Jun-42 through 7-Aug-42 He and his crew underwent Advanced flight training at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico. 8-Aug-42 through 10-Sep-42 He and his crew trained in Combat Formation flying at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas. 11-Sep-42 through 13-Oct-42 He and his crew prepared for final deployment overseas at Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, Michigan. It appears that the original intention was for the Bomb Group to follow the "North Crimson Route" to the UK whose central hub was at Detroit, Michigan. Apparently, the decision was changed and the Group flew to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine for final assmbly on 13-Oct-42. 24-Oct-42 He and his crew arrived at Molesworth aboard B-17F #41-24559 "Ooold Soljer".



Participated in 69 operational missions (3 Combat tours) between 17-Nov-42 and 6-Oct-44. 3 of those operations were flown with 15th Air Force from Italy (12, 24 and 29 Aug-44).



Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) awarded for overall superior job on 46 missions; Silver Star awarded for leading squadron on 15 missions without loss; cluster to SS for gallantry in action on mission to Posen, Poland, May 1944; cluster to SS for gallantry in finishing bomb run over Berlin though plane was afire.



Mission participations (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) See Biography events.

DSC / SS w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster/ DFC w/ Oak Leaf Cluster/ AM w/ 8 Oak Leaf Cluster

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Twelfth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron 360th Bomb Squadron 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13024754 / O-724149
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Group Bombardier
Sergeant Fred Dioquardo of the 303rd Bomb Group stokes the stove inside a hut. Image stamped on reverse: ''Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 28 Jan 1943.' [stamp], '245666.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Stoking the stove in an American Army Air Force hut somewhere in England. Sergeant Fred Dioquardo, of Bayport, Long Island, asked the photographer to send this message back to his parents and fiance Miss H Sherwood , Maple Ave, Long Island: "I will be home when I
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 7071292
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24559) nicknamed "Old Soljer" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed as censored 25 Jan 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17 "Old Soljer". 25 Jan 1943.' Printed caption attached: 'How The Boys Live And Work At Flying Fortress Station In England. Wide World Photo Shows:- Side view of Fortress. This one's been named "Old Soljer" by her crew, who have painted the name on the side of the fuselage, as shown here. WW/ALA. 26-1-43.' On reverse: Ministry of Information, As
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ooold Soljer
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24579) of the 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group prepares for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30/6/43.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Thumper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Yardbird II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Pine Bluff, Arkansas 22 June 1916

Other

Assigned to Unit

Boise, ID, USA 17 February 1942 Assigned as a Pilot with the 303BG at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho.

Other

Assigned to Aircraft

Boise, ID, USA 6 March 1942 Asssigned as Pilot of B-17F 42-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/320BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho.

Other

Advance Flight Training

Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA 12 June 1942 - 7 August 1942 Underwent Advance Flight Training as Pilot with crew of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Other

Combat Formation Flying - Trianing

Biggs Field, TX 79918, USA 8 August 1942 - 10 September 1942 Underwent training in Combat Formation Flyingas Pilot with crew of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas.

Other

Station Transfer

Battle Creek, MI, USA 11 September 1942 - 13 October 1942 Transferred with Group and B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS to Kellogg Field, Battle Creek, Michigan in prepartion for deployment overseas.

Other

Final Group Assembly

Bangor, ME, USA 13 October 1942 Group transferred and gathered at Dow Field, Bangor, Maine for final assembly prior to despatch to the United Kingdom.

Other

Arrived in UK

Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK 24 October 1942 Arrived at Molesworth, UK as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS.

Other

Mission #1, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 17 November 1942 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #2, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 18 November 1942 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #3, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Lille, France 6 December 1942 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the carriage and wagon works at Lille, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #4, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24579, 303BG/360BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 3 January 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24579 "Thumper", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #5, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Lille, France 13 January 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the Lille Fives Locomotive Works at Lille, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #6, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Lorient, France 23 January 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #7, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 27 January 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the naval facilities and U-Boat pens at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #8, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Hamm, Germany 2 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany, but mechanical failures forced him to abort the sortie. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #9, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Osnabrück, Germany 4 February 1943 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the industrial areas of Osnabruck, Germany, but mechanical failures forced the pilot to abort the sortie. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #10, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Hamm, Germany 14 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany, but cold and severe weather forced Wing Command to recall the entire 303BG formation. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #11, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Saint-Nazaire, France 16 February 1943 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France, but mechanical failures forced the pilot to abort the sortie. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #12, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 26 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the naval facilities and U-Boat pens at Wilhlemshaven, Germany. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #13, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Brest, France 27 February 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the port area and U-Boat pens at Brest, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #14, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Rotterdam, Netherlands 4 March 1943 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rotterdam, Holland. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #15, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Lorient, France 6 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #16, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Rouen, France 12 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #17, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Amiens, France 13 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Amiens, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #18, CPT Lewis E. Lyle, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Rouen, France 28 March 1943 Served as Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. RTB OK.

Died

Benton, AR, USA 6 April 2008

Buried

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorDr Daniel
Changes
Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-May-2016. Made connections to missions of 6-Mar-43, 12-Mar-43, 13-Mar-43, 28-Mar-43 per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Reports of date listed: http://www.303rdbg.com/

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-May-2016. Added Mission #18 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 28-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/026.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-May-2016. Added Mission #17 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 13-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/023.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-May-2016. Added Mission #16 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 12-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/022.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-May-2016. Added Mission #15 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 6-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/020.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Correcting typo on date of Mission #14.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Added Mission #14event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 4-Mar-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/019.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Added Mission #13 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 27-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/018.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Added Mission #12 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 26-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Added Mission #11 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 16-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/016.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Added Mission #11 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 16-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/016.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Added Mission #10 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 14-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/014.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Added Mission #9 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 4-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/014.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Added Mission #8 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 2-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/013.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Added Mission #7 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 27-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/012.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-2016. Made connections to Missions of 27-Jan-43, 2-Feb-43, 14-Feb-43, 16-Feb-43, 26-Feb-43, 27-Feb-43 and 4-Mar-43 per 303BG records: http://www.303rdbg.com/ See biography events for specifics.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission #6 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 23-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/011.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission #5 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 13-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/010.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission #4 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 3-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/009.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission #3 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 6-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/005.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission #2 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 18-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/002.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Added Mission #1 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 17-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Jan-2016. Added Arrived in UK event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Lewis E. Lyle crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-lyle.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Jan-2016. Added Final Assembly event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Lewis E. Lyle crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-lyle.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Jan-2016. Added Station Transfer per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Lewis E. Lyle crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-lyle.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Jan-2016. Added Combat Formation Flying per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Lewis E. Lyle crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-lyle.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Jan-2016. Added Advance Flight Training per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Lewis E. Lyle crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-lyle.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Jan-2016. Added Assigned to Aircraft per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Lewis E. Lyle crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-lyle.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Jan-2016. Added Assigned to Unit per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Lewis E. Lyle crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-lyle.html

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 31-Jan-2016. Added initial assignment and arrival data to Summary Biography; made connections to aircraft (through 23-Jan-43) and Missions (thorugh 23-Jan-43) per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Lewis E. Lyle crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-360-lyle.html

Date
ContributorIWMAZ
Changes
Sources

Corrected the date of death, updated death and burial locations, awards, highest rank achieved.
From www.303rdbg.com and www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=27341672&ref=acom

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

303rd Bomb Group website : www.303rdbg.com
Research on Fred J. Dioquardo

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Who's Who in the Eighth Air Force and Biographical Directory Command & Staff Officers Eighth Air Force 1942-45

Lewis E Lyle: Gallery (10 items)