Lenard Leroy Anderson was born October 4, 1922 in Dover Township, Iowa a rural community in northeast Iowa to Opal (nee Blackman) and Lenard F Anderson who was a farmer. Lenard known as Leroy or Roy to the family had an older brother Robert and younger sister Mavis. By 1935 the family had moved to Farnhamville, Iowa where the father was proprietor of his own restaurant.
On 30 June 1942 Lenard now age 19 was working in his father’s café registered with Selective Service. On 5 September 1942 Lenard enlisted in the Army Air Forces at Camp Dodge, Herrold, Iowa. After basic training Lenard received further training as an aerial gunner. His full service record has not been recovered.
Later during September 1943 Lenard was assigned the 769th Squadron, 462nd Bomb Group (BG) a new B-29 Superfortress group in training at Walker Army Air Field, Walker, Kansas. Here he was assigned as a gunner with the Capt Dock O Waller, Jr. crew for Combat Crew Training. There was long training in other aircraft types due to delays in the arrival of the new B-29s.
With aircraft received and training complete the 462nd BG air echelon began deploying during late March 1944 to India for ‘Operation Matterhorn’ as a component of the 58th Bomb Wing, 20th Bomber Command, 20th Air Force. The 462nd BG new home base was located on Piardoba Air Field located at 22° 59′ 21.86″ N, 87° 17′ 59″ E. The air echelon movement was complete on 15 May 1944. The 462nd BG advanced base, designated A-5 was located on the then known Kiunglai Air Field (presently Qionglai Air Base) 30° 29′ 25.22″ N, 103° 27′ 54.79″ E about 5 miles north of Qionglai, China, and about 36 miles west southwest of 20th Bomb Command Headquarters in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Everything to make this forward China base combat operational had to be flown over the Himalayan mountains from India. Known as ‘Hump’ missions they were so dangerous that each transit was counted as a combat mission.
On 8 July 1944 Lenard now advanced to the rank of Technical Sergeant was scheduled with his crew and his Airplane Commander (Pilot) Capt Dock O Waller, Jr. for one of these Hump supply missions flying B-29-5-BW Superfortress, Serial Number 42-6263 which was acting as a ‘tanker’ transporting 100 octane gasoline to A-5. They departed Piardoba with their regular 11 man crew and 2 passengers at 0758 on the first leg of this mission. At 0903 an altitude climb to 8,000 ft was made to clear the Shillong Hills approx. 25°34'18.40"N, 91°53'14.52"E . During the climb smoke was noticed coming from the #4 starboard engine and there was heavy gas fumes in the forward cabin cause determined to be the bomb bay tanks siphoning. At 7,500 ft altitude the #4 engine was reported to be on fire. Capt Waller immediately turned the aircraft on a heading returning to Piardoba.
All attempts to extinguish the fire failed and at 0925 Capt Waller gave the order for the full crew to bailout. The co-pilot, bombardier, radar operator, senior gunner, left gunner, right gunner, tail gunner, and two passengers jumped at once. All nine parachuted into water over a wide area near Tahirpur, India (presently Bangladesh) approximate coordinates 25° 5'30.12"N, 91°10'30.00"E six were rescued by natives in boats after some having been in the water for nearly an hour. These six would return to base in about eight days and return to duty.
Three airmen were drowned with the bodies of only two recovered as follows:
T/Sgt Lenard L Anderson (Right Gunner) MIA/KNB/DED body not recovered
S/Sgt James M Lynch (left Gunner) KNB body recovered
S/Sgt Francis H Iles (Tail Gunner) KNB body recovered
The pilot, navigator, flight engineer, and radio operator remained with the ship. Soon after the crew and passengers had bailed out it was noticed that the engine fire was no longer burning halting further bailouts. The remaining crew stayed with the aircraft to bring it to Piardoba for repairs. The fire apparently had burned the oil lines making it impossible to feather #4 engine which continued to windmill. The aircraft continued to lose altitude resulting in Capt Waller changing course to Kurmitola Air Field which was closer. Continuing to lose altitude Capt Waller elected to ditch the aircraft in a lake or monsoon swollen river about 30 miles north, northeast of Kurmitola Air Field. All four crew members escaped the sinking aircraft without injury and were rescued returning to duty.
Bio for T/Sgt Anderson and B-29, 42-6263 loss narrative by Vindicator I
On 30 June 1942 Lenard now age 19 was working in his father’s café registered with Selective Service. On 5 September 1942 Lenard enlisted in the Army Air Forces at Camp Dodge, Herrold, Iowa. After basic training Lenard received further training as an aerial gunner. His full service record has not been recovered.
Later during September 1943 Lenard was assigned the 769th Squadron, 462nd Bomb Group (BG) a new B-29 Superfortress group in training at Walker Army Air Field, Walker, Kansas. Here he was assigned as a gunner with the Capt Dock O Waller, Jr. crew for Combat Crew Training. There was long training in other aircraft types due to delays in the arrival of the new B-29s.
With aircraft received and training complete the 462nd BG air echelon began deploying during late March 1944 to India for ‘Operation Matterhorn’ as a component of the 58th Bomb Wing, 20th Bomber Command, 20th Air Force. The 462nd BG new home base was located on Piardoba Air Field located at 22° 59′ 21.86″ N, 87° 17′ 59″ E. The air echelon movement was complete on 15 May 1944. The 462nd BG advanced base, designated A-5 was located on the then known Kiunglai Air Field (presently Qionglai Air Base) 30° 29′ 25.22″ N, 103° 27′ 54.79″ E about 5 miles north of Qionglai, China, and about 36 miles west southwest of 20th Bomb Command Headquarters in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Everything to make this forward China base combat operational had to be flown over the Himalayan mountains from India. Known as ‘Hump’ missions they were so dangerous that each transit was counted as a combat mission.
On 8 July 1944 Lenard now advanced to the rank of Technical Sergeant was scheduled with his crew and his Airplane Commander (Pilot) Capt Dock O Waller, Jr. for one of these Hump supply missions flying B-29-5-BW Superfortress, Serial Number 42-6263 which was acting as a ‘tanker’ transporting 100 octane gasoline to A-5. They departed Piardoba with their regular 11 man crew and 2 passengers at 0758 on the first leg of this mission. At 0903 an altitude climb to 8,000 ft was made to clear the Shillong Hills approx. 25°34'18.40"N, 91°53'14.52"E . During the climb smoke was noticed coming from the #4 starboard engine and there was heavy gas fumes in the forward cabin cause determined to be the bomb bay tanks siphoning. At 7,500 ft altitude the #4 engine was reported to be on fire. Capt Waller immediately turned the aircraft on a heading returning to Piardoba.
All attempts to extinguish the fire failed and at 0925 Capt Waller gave the order for the full crew to bailout. The co-pilot, bombardier, radar operator, senior gunner, left gunner, right gunner, tail gunner, and two passengers jumped at once. All nine parachuted into water over a wide area near Tahirpur, India (presently Bangladesh) approximate coordinates 25° 5'30.12"N, 91°10'30.00"E six were rescued by natives in boats after some having been in the water for nearly an hour. These six would return to base in about eight days and return to duty.
Three airmen were drowned with the bodies of only two recovered as follows:
T/Sgt Lenard L Anderson (Right Gunner) MIA/KNB/DED body not recovered
S/Sgt James M Lynch (left Gunner) KNB body recovered
S/Sgt Francis H Iles (Tail Gunner) KNB body recovered
The pilot, navigator, flight engineer, and radio operator remained with the ship. Soon after the crew and passengers had bailed out it was noticed that the engine fire was no longer burning halting further bailouts. The remaining crew stayed with the aircraft to bring it to Piardoba for repairs. The fire apparently had burned the oil lines making it impossible to feather #4 engine which continued to windmill. The aircraft continued to lose altitude resulting in Capt Waller changing course to Kurmitola Air Field which was closer. Continuing to lose altitude Capt Waller elected to ditch the aircraft in a lake or monsoon swollen river about 30 miles north, northeast of Kurmitola Air Field. All four crew members escaped the sinking aircraft without injury and were rescued returning to duty.
Bio for T/Sgt Anderson and B-29, 42-6263 loss narrative by Vindicator I
Lenard Leroy Anderson was born October 4, 1922 in Dover Township, Iowa a rural community in northeast Iowa to Opal (nee Blackman) and Lenard F Anderson who was a farmer. Lenard known as Leroy or Roy to the family had an older brother Robert and younger sister Mavis. By 1935 the family had moved to Farnhamville, Iowa where the father was proprietor of his own restaurant.
On 30 June 1942 Lenard now age 19 was working in his father’s café registered with Selective Service. On 5 September 1942 Lenard enlisted in the Army Air Forces at Camp Dodge, Herrold, Iowa. After basic training Lenard received further training as an aerial gunner. His full service record has not been recovered.
Later during September 1943 Lenard was assigned the 769th Squadron, 462nd Bomb Group (BG) a new B-29 Superfortress group in training at Walker Army Air Field, Walker, Kansas. Here he was assigned as a gunner with the Capt Dock O Waller, Jr. crew for Combat Crew Training. There was long training in other aircraft types due to delays in the arrival of the new B-29s.
With aircraft received and training complete the 462nd BG air echelon began deploying during late March 1944 to India for ‘Operation Matterhorn’ as a component of the 58th Bomb Wing, 20th Bomber Command, 20th Air Force. The 462nd BG new home base was located on Piardoba Air Field located at 22° 59′ 21.86″ N, 87° 17′ 59″ E. The air echelon movement was complete on 15 May 1944. The 462nd BG advanced base, designated A-5 was located on the then known Kiunglai Air Field (presently Qionglai Air Base) 30° 29′ 25.22″ N, 103° 27′ 54.79″ E about 5 miles north of Qionglai, China, and about 36 miles west southwest of 20th Bomb Command Headquarters in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Everything to make this forward China base combat operational had to be flown over the Himalayan mountains from India. Known as ‘Hump’ missions they were so dangerous that each transit was counted as a combat mission.
On 8 July 1944 Lenard now advanced to the rank of Technical Sergeant was scheduled with his crew and his Airplane Commander (Pilot) Capt Dock O Waller, Jr. for one of these Hump supply missions flying B-29-5-BW Superfortress, Serial Number 42-6263 which was acting as a ‘tanker’ transporting 100 octane gasoline to A-5. They departed Piardoba with their regular 11 man crew and 2 passengers at 0758 on the first leg of this mission. At 0903 an altitude climb to 8,000 ft was made to clear the Shillong Hills approx. 25°34'18.40"N, 91°53'14.52"E . During the climb smoke was noticed coming from the #4 starboard engine and there was heavy gas fumes in the forward cabin cause determined to be the bomb bay tanks siphoning. At 7,500 ft altitude the #4 engine was reported to be on fire. Capt Waller immediately turned the aircraft on a heading returning to Piardoba.
All attempts to extinguish the fire failed and at 0925 Capt Waller gave the order for the full crew to bailout. The co-pilot, bombardier, radar operator, senior gunner, left gunner, right gunner, tail gunner, and two passengers jumped at once. All nine parachuted into water over a wide area near Tahirpur, India (presently Bangladesh) approximate coordinates 25° 5'30.12"N, 91°10'30.00"E six were rescued by natives in boats after some having been in the water for nearly an hour. These six would return to base in about eight days and return to duty.
Three airmen were drowned with the bodies of only two recovered as follows:
T/Sgt Lenard L Anderson (Right Gunner) MIA/KNB/DED body not recovered
S/Sgt James M Lynch (left Gunner) KNB body recovered
S/Sgt Francis H Iles (Tail Gunner) KNB body recovered
The pilot, navigator, flight engineer, and radio operator remained with the ship. Soon after the crew and passengers had bailed out it was noticed that the engine fire was no longer burning halting further bailouts. The remaining crew stayed with the aircraft to bring it to Piardoba for repairs. The fire apparently had burned the oil lines making it impossible to feather #4 engine which continued to windmill. The aircraft continued to lose altitude resulting in Capt Waller changing course to Kurmitola Air Field which was closer. Continuing to lose altitude Capt Waller elected to ditch the aircraft in a lake or monsoon swollen river about 30 miles north, northeast of Kurmitola Air Field. All four crew members escaped the sinking aircraft without injury and were rescued returning to duty.
Bio for T/Sgt Anderson and B-29, 42-6263 loss narrative by Vindicator I
On 30 June 1942 Lenard now age 19 was working in his father’s café registered with Selective Service. On 5 September 1942 Lenard enlisted in the Army Air Forces at Camp Dodge, Herrold, Iowa. After basic training Lenard received further training as an aerial gunner. His full service record has not been recovered.
Later during September 1943 Lenard was assigned the 769th Squadron, 462nd Bomb Group (BG) a new B-29 Superfortress group in training at Walker Army Air Field, Walker, Kansas. Here he was assigned as a gunner with the Capt Dock O Waller, Jr. crew for Combat Crew Training. There was long training in other aircraft types due to delays in the arrival of the new B-29s.
With aircraft received and training complete the 462nd BG air echelon began deploying during late March 1944 to India for ‘Operation Matterhorn’ as a component of the 58th Bomb Wing, 20th Bomber Command, 20th Air Force. The 462nd BG new home base was located on Piardoba Air Field located at 22° 59′ 21.86″ N, 87° 17′ 59″ E. The air echelon movement was complete on 15 May 1944. The 462nd BG advanced base, designated A-5 was located on the then known Kiunglai Air Field (presently Qionglai Air Base) 30° 29′ 25.22″ N, 103° 27′ 54.79″ E about 5 miles north of Qionglai, China, and about 36 miles west southwest of 20th Bomb Command Headquarters in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Everything to make this forward China base combat operational had to be flown over the Himalayan mountains from India. Known as ‘Hump’ missions they were so dangerous that each transit was counted as a combat mission.
On 8 July 1944 Lenard now advanced to the rank of Technical Sergeant was scheduled with his crew and his Airplane Commander (Pilot) Capt Dock O Waller, Jr. for one of these Hump supply missions flying B-29-5-BW Superfortress, Serial Number 42-6263 which was acting as a ‘tanker’ transporting 100 octane gasoline to A-5. They departed Piardoba with their regular 11 man crew and 2 passengers at 0758 on the first leg of this mission. At 0903 an altitude climb to 8,000 ft was made to clear the Shillong Hills approx. 25°34'18.40"N, 91°53'14.52"E . During the climb smoke was noticed coming from the #4 starboard engine and there was heavy gas fumes in the forward cabin cause determined to be the bomb bay tanks siphoning. At 7,500 ft altitude the #4 engine was reported to be on fire. Capt Waller immediately turned the aircraft on a heading returning to Piardoba.
All attempts to extinguish the fire failed and at 0925 Capt Waller gave the order for the full crew to bailout. The co-pilot, bombardier, radar operator, senior gunner, left gunner, right gunner, tail gunner, and two passengers jumped at once. All nine parachuted into water over a wide area near Tahirpur, India (presently Bangladesh) approximate coordinates 25° 5'30.12"N, 91°10'30.00"E six were rescued by natives in boats after some having been in the water for nearly an hour. These six would return to base in about eight days and return to duty.
Three airmen were drowned with the bodies of only two recovered as follows:
T/Sgt Lenard L Anderson (Right Gunner) MIA/KNB/DED body not recovered
S/Sgt James M Lynch (left Gunner) KNB body recovered
S/Sgt Francis H Iles (Tail Gunner) KNB body recovered
The pilot, navigator, flight engineer, and radio operator remained with the ship. Soon after the crew and passengers had bailed out it was noticed that the engine fire was no longer burning halting further bailouts. The remaining crew stayed with the aircraft to bring it to Piardoba for repairs. The fire apparently had burned the oil lines making it impossible to feather #4 engine which continued to windmill. The aircraft continued to lose altitude resulting in Capt Waller changing course to Kurmitola Air Field which was closer. Continuing to lose altitude Capt Waller elected to ditch the aircraft in a lake or monsoon swollen river about 30 miles north, northeast of Kurmitola Air Field. All four crew members escaped the sinking aircraft without injury and were rescued returning to duty.
Bio for T/Sgt Anderson and B-29, 42-6263 loss narrative by Vindicator I
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Iowa.
Family Members
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