Leo Fletcher

On 6-13-44 Lt Leo Fletcher- 757 th Bomb Squadron- ditched his B-24 in the Adriatic Sea near Ancona, Italy, while returning from a 459th BG mission to Munich, Germany. His plane was severely shot up by flak over the target and by German fighters on the return- one engine was out and he was very low on fuel. Ancona, at that time, was still under German control. It was windy and the sea had large swells when he brought the ship down on the water. The first contact with the water was smooth but the ship soon nosed into a large swell, buckling the fuselage just ahead of the cockpit. The crew were thrown sround the ship by this impact and both Lt Fletcher and his co- pilot were thrown thru the windshield. Two other crewmembers were seriously injured. All managed to exit the plane and get into life rafts to wait for Sea Rescue launch. These remarkable photos show the crew being rescued by the British Sea Rescue Vessel # 1046 seneral hours after ditching. ( See additional Letter and Photo of the British Launch Crew ).

See Document 1 read letter from Lt H Martin, Royal Navy Reserve,6-16-44 reporting on the rescue of Lt Fletcher`s B-24 crew from the Adriatic Sea by the British Sea Rescue Launch #1046, on 6-13-44.

Date of birth: 20-Jun-16

Home of record: Pampa, Texas

Lieutenant Fletcher returned to the United States as the most decorated member of the 459th Bomb Group. In addition to the DSC, he took home the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Silver Star, and two Purple Hearts. After WW II, he flew for American Airlines until reentering the service to continue his flying career during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam

Silver Star

LE0 C. FLETCHER, O-812310, Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, 757th Bombardment Squadron, 459th Bombardment Group, United States Army. For gallantry in action. As pilot of a B-24 type aircraft while on a bombing mission against the important enemy base at Viterbo, Italy, on 7 March 1944, Lieutenant Fletcher gallantly fought through and successfully bombed the objective despite concentrated enemy fighter attack and intense enemy anti-aircraft ground defense opposition. Although his aircraft was seriously damaged before reaching the target and further damage after leaving the target area, during which one (1) crew member was killed and several injured, together with over three hundred (300) direct hits upon the aircraft which pertially destroyed the rudders, stabilizers, fuel and other systems, gun turrents and one (1) engine, Lieutenant Fletcher brought his ship and crew safely out of enemy territory, landing at a friendly base with no further injury to plane or crew. By his outstanding gallantry, leadership, and superb professional skill in the completion of this important missionagainst overhelming odds, together with saving his aircraft and the lives of the remainder of his crew, Lieutenant Fletcher has upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Residence at appointment: Beaumont, Texas.

DFC

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Leo C. Fletcher (ASN: 0-683985), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 757th Bombardment Squadron, 459th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 13 June 1944, against enemy targets in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. On this date, First Lieutenant Fletcher was participating in a highly important bombing mission over Munich, Germany. Immediately after crossing a high mountain range, one engine of Lieutenant Fletcher's aircraft became inoperative, thus subjecting his aircraft to a serious loss of power. Despite this handicap, he elected to remain with the formation and continued on to the target. The aircraft sustained many hits from aggressive attacks of enemy fighter aircraft and unusually intense anti-aircraft fire. Lieutenant Fletcher displayed unusual ability in successfully employing evasive action while completing his bombing run. Immediately after bombing the target, another engine became inoperative causing him to lose speed and become separated from the formation. The malfunctions of this engine was corrected but his aircraft was far to the rear of the formation which rendered them more vulnerable to enemy action. The sustained hits of the unusually vicious attacks of enemy fighter aircraft and accurate enemy aircraft fire and the rapidly diminishing fuel supply necessitated landing shortly. An attempt to land on the beach was met with anti-aircraft fire which forced him to fly out to sea. Because of the injuries inflicted on some of the members of the crew, Lieutenant Fletcher decided to crash land in the sea. Although momentarily stunned and injured by the force of the landing, Lieutenant Fletcher escaped from the rapidly sinking aircraft only to find that the co-pilot and navigator were still imprisoned. Fully cognizant of the immediate danger of the aircraft sinking and burdened by his cumbersome flying clothes, Lieutenant Fletcher, unhesitantly, returned to the bottom of the submerged flight deck and succeeded in rescuing these two officers. Lieutenant Fletcher directed first aid and was responsible for the bringing together of the scattered members of the crew into one raft. Upon nearing shore enemy troops opened fire on the raft with light cannon. With characteristic coolness Lieutenant Fletcher swung the raft around and headed again for open sea. During the six hours in the raft Lieutenant Fletcher made no mention of his own wounds and assumed full responsibility for the care and treatment of the others. Lieutenant Fletcher's heroism, gallantry and valor were exemplary and reflect great credit upon himself, the 15th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 54 (1944)

Action Date: 13-Jun-44

British crew of Royal Navy Sea Rescue Launch # 1046 who rescued Lt Fletcher`s B-24 Crew when he ditched on 6-13-44 in the Adriatic Sea near Ancona, Italy. This photo was taken later in 1945 when this crew was in Venice, Italy. One of this crew later inquired about how Lt Fletcher`s crew fared after the ditching.

1st Lt. Leo C Fletcher

2nd Lt. Leo C Fletcher was assigned to the 459th BG 757th Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Pilot.

The following information on Leo Fletcher is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on 2nd Lt. Fletcher. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Leo Fletcher's military record please contact us.

	Rank	General Order	Date	Award
Leo Fletcher	2nd Lt	148	03/21/1944	SS
Leo Fletcher	2nd Lt	503	05/17/1944	AM
Leo Fletcher	2nd Lt	911	06/08/1944	AM/OLC
Leo Fletcher	2nd Lt.	54	06/13/1944	DFC
Leo Fletcher	2nd Lt	1423	06/28/1944	AM/OLC
Leo Fletcher	1st Lt	2192	04/08/1945	DFC