LeRoy Hyder was born on 16 February 1924 at Nashville, Tennessee, the son of Leroy Hyder and Verna Maddux.
Died 11 September 1944
Buried at Spring City Cemetery, Spring City, TN

First Lieutenant
447th Bomber Group, 710th Bomber Squadron, Heavy, 8th Air Force

Aircraft B-17 with serial number 42-102471 was hit by flak in No. 2 engine at primary target area (Bohlen) at about 1243 hrs. A hole in the left wing was also seen at this time. The a/c fell back out of formation dropping down to cloud level at 22,000 feet, flew under control for another 25 minutes until lost to view. The airplane began to burn due to heavy battle damage. Lt Hyder held the ship level while the crew bailed out. The aircraft crashed at Zeitz, Germany.

Crew members
Pilot, 1st Lt LeRoy Hyder
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Harry Wood
Navigator, 2nd Lt James W. Voorhies
Bombardier, S/Sgt Richard S. Thomas
Turret Gunner, T/Sgt William R. Sulaica
Radio Operator, T/Sgt John E. MacLeod
Waist Gunner, S/Sgt Ralph M. Persun Jr.
Tail Gunner, S/Sgt Donald H. Karg
Ball Turret Gunner, S/Sgt Lynn G. Lee

The Knoxville News-Sentinel, February 4, 1945
TLt. Leroy Hyder, son of Mrs. Verna M. Hyder, 1617 White Avenue.

March 24, 1949
Funeral service for Lt. LeRoy Hyder, killed in action over Germany on his twenty sixth mission as a Flying Fortress pilot on Sept. 11, 1944 will be held in First Baptist Church in Spring City. Lt. Hyder lease his widow, Mrs. Helen Hyder, Morristown; his mother, Mrs. Verna Hyder, 1617 White Avenue; one sister, Evangeline and a brother, Charles, both of Knoxville.
When his plane was disabled by enemy fire over Germany, Lt. Hyder stayed at the controls until his crew members parachuted  to safety. But the courageous 20-year-old pilot was killed in the explosion of the plane.

Photo courtesy: Patrick Dewey

  • Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Date of birth:
  • 16 February 1924
  • Date of death: 11 September 1944
  • County: Hamblen
  • Hometown: Knoxville
  • Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
  • Division/Assignment: 447th Bomber Group, 710th Bomber Squadron, Heavy
  • Theater: Europe
  • Conflict: World War II
  • Awards: Purple Heart
  • Burial/Memorial Location: Spring City Cemetery, Spring City, TN
  • Location In Memorial: Pillar X, Top Panel
  • Contact us to sponsor Leroy Hyder

Image Gallery

Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.


Submit more information on this veteran →