Willard G. (“Tex”) Ilefeldt

Along with several other replacements, 1Lt. Willard G. Ilefeldt had been attached to the 3^rd Bomb Squadron as a B-25 pilot and appointed a flight leader in November 1944. Ilefeldt, called “Tex” because of an early childhood spent in Texas, additionally assumed the role of historical officer in January 1945. His first combat mission was a joint raid with the 2^nd and 4^th Bomb Squadrons against storage areas on the docks of Hankow. The bombers were escorted by 3^rd Fighter Group P-40s and P-51s. Results were excellent. Ilefeldt went on to complete 37 missions before the end of the war. He returned from Calcutta to New York in November 1945. Although called a “dumb kid” as a child, he so successfully overcame his dyslexia and hyperactivity that he became an Episcopal priest and earned a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling. He later became a published author.