Doolittle Raider
Corporal Faktor served in the Army Air Corps from 1940-1942.
He had enlisted at Fort Des Moines, Iowa in the U.S. Army Air Corps on 9 August 1940 and completed Airplane Mechanic's School at Chanute Field, Illinois in April 1941.
His first assignment was with the 95th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group at Pendleton Air Field, Oregon where he served until being selected for the Doolittle Mission in February 1942. This unit was given the designation of 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force) and trained at Eglin Field, Florida.
Cpl. Faktor served as the Engineer-Gunner on the third B-25 crew to take off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet on 18 April 1942. This aircraft was plane # 40-2270 - "Whisky Pete" piloted by Lt. R.M. Gray.
After bombing its assigned targets in Tokyo, the crew bailed out over China when their aircraft ran out of fuel. Faktor was killed when he landed and fell down a cliff, having landed in a mountainous area of Sui-Chang Province, China. He was 20 years old.
He was originally interred at Wan Tsuen, China. His remains were later moved to the Bohemian Cemetery in Plymouth, Iowa, in Block 2, Lot 7, in 27 April 1949.
Source: http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.asp?ID=356
Distinguished Flying Cross Citation
Awarded posthumously for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Leland D. Faktor, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Engineer/Gunner of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942.
Corporal Faktor, with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.
Action Date: 18-Apr-42 Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Corporal Company: 1st Special Aviation Project Division: Doolittle Tokyo Raider Force
He was also awarded the Chinese Breast Order of Yung Hui posthumously.
Comments/Citation Notes/Links:
http://www.doolittleraider.com/raiders/faktor.htm (awards, personal notes, etc.) http://www.bombgroup17.com/17th_bg_wwii (history of the 17th BG unit) http://www.doolittleraider.com/80_brave_men.htm (crews etc.) http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.asp?ID=356 http://www.2worldwar2.com/doolittle-raid.htm http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h53000/h53425.jpg http://www.cv6.org/noumea/default.asp?uri=detail/nara-img-80g41196 http://www.doolittletokyoraiders.com/ (official site with photos, etc.) http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=30145 (Citation for DFC) http://iagenweb.org/cerrogordo/obituaries/cg_obit_faktorleland.htm Newspaper Sources: "Tokyo Bombers Hop from Hornet-Each Plane Given Own Targets," San Antonio Express, San Antonio, Texas, 21 April 1943, page 1. (Faktor was listed as the "only known dead" at the time.)
"Faktor Praised by Doolittle," Mason City Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, 27 May 1942, page 2. "He was a fine boy." (Doolittle quote)
"Flying Cross, Purple Heart Sent Mr. and Mrs. Lou Faktor for Son's Bravery at Tokio," Mason City Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa, 29 March 1943, page 3. (includes photo in dress uniform)
Notes: He is listed on the Muster Rolls of the USS Hornet as having "Disembarked" on 18 April 1942.
Notes: Faktor Hall, Chanute AFB was dedicated in his honor 20 May 1978.
Note: There is also a reference to Cpl. Faktor being interred in Memorial Park Cemetery Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, a few miles away from Plymouth, Iowa (Bohemia Cemetery).
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