11/10/2023
LT. CLELLAND J. HANNER PILOTS DAMAGED BOMBER HOME ON D-DAY INVASION
"The following comes from an Eighth AAF Bomber Station, Lavenham England: After spending nearly 16 hours out of the last 21 at high altitude as the eight AAF heavy bombers rained bombs down on the N**i invasion defenses, 1st Lt. Clelland J. Hanner, 26-year-old pilot of the B-24 Liberator, 'The Spook', of Marshall, had a narrow brush with disaster.
With 'bombs away' on a vital crossroad as the latest contribution to the 'D day' effort, Pilot Hanner headed back home for another load of bombs. Pushing through the soupy clouds over the invasion area, the big Lib got separated from the rest of its formation.
Soon the huge bomber was down at tree-top level. People on the ground were cheering and then the whole crew realized that they were still over France.
A ground flak gun opened up. Flak bursts hit the right wing, machine gun bullets whizzed by, and something hit the tail turret and smashed it.
Going into quick evasive action, Lt Hanner avoided more fire and brought the big bomber, with all hands safe, back to the home base.
Lt. Hanner is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James 0. Hanner. Prior to his entry into the AAF in May 1942, he was employed at the Montezuma high school of Montezuma as a teacher-coach. He is a graduate of Indiana State University where he captained the basketball team in his senior year."
Rockville Republican 6-29-1944
Per certificate of service, Clelland J. Hanner, 1st Lt., Air Corps honorably served in the active Federal Service in the Army of the United States from July 28,1943 to August 21,1945. Given at Separation Center, Camp Atterbury, Indiana on the 21st day of August 1945. Served with 2530th AAF Base Unit. Piloted B-17 1091 Piloted B-241092. Battles: Air Offensive Europe Normandy Northern France. Decorations: Distinguished Flying Cross GO 597 Hq 3rd Bomb Div 7 Sep 44 Air Medal GO 170 Hq 3rd Bomb Div 4 Jun 44 w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters to AM European-African-Middle Eastern Service.
