AAR 45-7-31-523

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(AAR images from AAIR - Aviation Archaeological Investigation and Research.)

Aircraft Serial Number (Type): 43-9745 (Douglas A-20G-30-DO Havoc)

9th AF; 416th Bomb Gp; 668th Bomb Sq

Mission # 110; Box: II; Flight: 3; Position: 4; A/C Fuselage Code: 5H-I

Reason: Crash Landing Engine Failure (CRLEF)

Damage: Completely destroyed (5)

Point Of Departure: AAF-170 Wethersfield RAF Station, England

Location: Westfield Farm, near Little Madham, Essex

*Personnel*
Duty	Name	Rank	S/N	Status
Pilot	Lesher, Robert D.	1Lt	O-684361	WIA
Airplane Mechanic - Gunner	Hedrick, Harold R.	S/Sgt	14165008	WIA
Airplane Armorer - Gunner	Antanaitis, Adolfos J.	S/Sgt	31110809	Major Injuries

Notes:
Nature of Accident: "Wheels up crash landing."
Cause of Accident: "Materiel Failure of left engine."

Description:
Lt Lesher crashed when one engine cut out on the take-off. He and one of his gunners escaped injury, but the other gunner, Staff Sergeant Adolfos J. Antaneitis, suffered a fractured leg. The plane was completely destroyed.
(416th BG History 1944)

On the last day of the month, Staff Sergeant Adolfos J. Antanaitis, armorer-gunner, suffered a broken leg when his pilot, Lieutenant Lesher, successfully crash-landed his aircraft in Southern England. after he had lost an engine en route to the target.
("668th Bombardment Squadron (L) History")

General Orders No. 163, 23 August 1944, Purple Heart is awarded to: 668th Bombardment Squadron (L), Robert D. Lesher, O-684361, First Lieutenant, Air Corps, United States Army. For wounds received as a result of enemy action on 31 July 1944, while serving as Pilot of an A-20 airplane. Entered military service from Houston, Texas.

General Orders No. 149, 2 August 1944, Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster is awarded to wear with the Purple Heart to: 668th Bombardment Squadron (L), Harold R. Hedrick, 14165008, Staff Sergeant, Air Corps, United States Army. For wounds received in action while serving as Gunner on an A-20 airplane on 31 July 1944. Entered military service from High Point, North Carolina.
(416th BG Purple Heart Awards (PDF))

See Mission # 110 for additional details