Alexander, Richard Lear, Capt

Deceased
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
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Last Rank
Captain
Last Primary AFSC/MOS
AAF MOS 1055-Pilot, Single-Engine Fighter
Last AFSC Group
Pilot (Officer)
Primary Unit
1945-1947, 60th Fighter Squadron - Fighting Crows
Service Years
1940 - 1948
Officer srcset=
Captain

 Last Photo   Personal Details 

13 kb


Home State
Illinois
Illinois
Year of Birth
1914
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr. to remember Alexander, Richard Lear, Capt.

If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
 
Contact Info
Home Town
Grant Park, Illinois
Last Address
Piper City, Illinois
Date of Passing
Apr 19, 1993
 
Location of Interment
Brendon Cemetery - Piper City, Illinois

 Official Badges 




 Unofficial Badges 

Air Ace American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal


 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)American LegionVeterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)American Fighter Aces Association
National Society Sons of the American Revolution
  0, Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) - Assoc. Page
  0, American Legion - Assoc. Page
  0, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) - Assoc. Page
  1961, American Fighter Aces Association
  1966, National Society Sons of the American Revolution - Assoc. Page


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:


Richard Lear Alexander was born in Grant Park, Illinois on July 22, 1914. Not much has been discovered concerning his early education, but in October, 1940, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force.

He took pilot training and was certified as a pilot, given his wings, and commissioned as Lieutenant by September 1941. He went to England and joined the newly-formed RAF 133 Squadron, known as "The Eagle Squadron" because of the number of Americans in it. He flew a Supermarine Spitfire from RAF base Kingscliffe on bomber escort, fighter sweep, and home defense missions, receiving credit for one aerial victory and one "probable."

On September 23, 1942, Alexander transferred to the U.S. Army Air Forces and was assigned to the 4th Fighter Group. In January 1943, he was posted briefly to the 109th Observation Squadron, a reconnaissance unit.

April 1943 saw him assigned to the 2nd Fighter Squadron of the 52nd Fighter Group, flying P-39s. He led a flight of P-39s from England to North Africa, encountering trouble on the way. Weather and bad engines forced the unit down in Spain where they were interned for two months. Leaving Spain, the unit finally reported to Algeria in North Africa. Because of the many Americans still within the unit that had transferred, it was humorously nicknamed "The American Beagle Squadron." Alexander had somewhere picked up the personal nickname of "Dixie." This unit of the 52nd Fighter Group flew Spitfires and P-39s on strike and escort missions over North Africa, changing to P-51 aircraft in early 1944. With this, and extending strikes into Germany, Alexander was credited with an additional four victories. In November 1943, the 52nd Fighter Group moved to Piagiolino, Italy.

In May, 1944, he was shot down on a long range mission, and captured by the Germans, He was held as a POW in the Stalag Luft III, the infamous German POW camp featured in the film "The Great Escape." He was liberated at war's end in May of 1945.

He remained with the USAAF in Germany on Occupation duty with the 60th Fighter Squadron of the 33rd Fighter Wing. In 1947, he lost his right arm in an accident (type unspecified) in 1947 and was medically retired in 1948.

 

   
Other Comments:


When flying for the RAF, Alexander utilized two Spitfires, both named "Chappie." Tail number BL722 coded MD-B and tail number BL723 coded MD-M.

When he transitioned into P-51s, he was assigned P-51B #43-24816, named "Chappie" and "Dixie MK X. This was the aircraft in which he was shot down. Missing Air Crew Report 5636 applies.

In addition to the U.S. awards and decorations, Captain Richard L. Alexander was entitled to wear ribbons denoting the award of Canadian Service Volunteer Service Medal, 1939-1945 Star (British),  the Mentioned in Despatches Medal (British) and another which has not been identified to date.

Sources:
http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=632
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/336_alexanderrlweb_a.pdf
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44428707/richard-l_-alexander
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/183267
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/45043
http://www.cieldegloire.com/fg_052.php
https://www.ancestry.com

   


WWII - European Theater of Operations/Rome-Arno Campaign (1944)
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
September / 1944

Description
(Rome-Arno Campaign 22 January to 9 September 1944) U.S. 5th Army advanced 150 miles to the Arno River. The unsuccessful attempt to break the Gustav Line on 22 January was followed by another unsuccessful effort in March when the infantry failed to push through after bombers had endeavored to open the line at Monte Cassino. Allied air power then began a vigorous campaign against railroads, highways, and shipping that supported German forces in Italy. With supply lines strangled, the Germans could not repulse the new drive launched by the Allies in May. German resistance crumbled. By 4 June 1944 the Allies had taken Rome. But the advance ground to a halt against a new defensive line the enemy established along the Arno River.
   
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
May / 1944
 
Last Updated:
Jun 11, 2020
   
Personal Memories
   
Units Participated in Operation

763rd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)

762nd Bombardment Squadron, Heavy

 
My Photos From This Battle or Operation
No Available Photos

  75 Also There at This Battle:
 
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