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Leroy G. Barnard

Ssgt Leroy G. Barnard

Diverted mission 4/24/1944

1st Lt. A.A. McDonald KIA, SSgt L.G. Barnard KIA, SSgt Joseph J. Shields KIA

ON APRIL 24, 1944, the Douglas A-20 Havocs of the 669th Bomb Squadron, part of the 416th Bomb Group, USAAF, took off on a bombing mission against a target in France. However, before they reached the coast, the mission was recalled due to bad weather. At the controls of A-20G, 43-9941 (coded 2A-U) was 2nd Lt Arthur A McDonald. His crew that day were Joseph J Shields, and Leroy Barnard. Exactly what happened as the 669th Bomb Squadron returned to its base in Essex, no-one knows. According to the unit record, 2nd Lt McDonald lost control of the Havoc as he flew through the overcast sky. During the subsequent dive, the Havoc lost part of a wing. The unit record states 2nd Lt McDonald managed to pull the Havoc out of its dive and "before he hit the ground, he manoeuvred his plane in a last heroic effort to avoid crashing in the midst of a crowded city district. The plane struck the only open area in the vicinity". All three crewmen lost their lives.Arthur McDonald, Joseph J Shields, and Leroy Barnard were buried in the American Military Cemetery, at Madingley, near Cambridge. Only Joseph is still buried there.

If anyone has any information regarding the incident, email geoff@gkennell.freeserve.co.uk

The above information published by Geoff Kennell, Rydal Drive, Bexleyheath UK in the Borehamwood and Elstree Times.

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