The Airmen's Stories - P/O P H Leckrone

Phillip Howard `Uncle Sam` or 'Zeke' Leckrone was from Salem, Illinois and had extensive pre-war flying experience, owning his own aircraft.

He travelled to Britain and enlisted in the RAF. Following Spitfire conversion training at 7OTU Hawarden he joined No 616 Squadron at Kenley on the 2nd of September 1940 and was later posted to 71 Squadron at Church Fenton on the 12th of October 1940, to join other American volunteers in the first 'Eagle' squadron.

On the 5th of January 1941 Leckrone was killed on a formation practice when he collided with Pilot Officer E.E.Orbison. He was the Squadron's first fatality.

He is buried in Kirton-in-Lindsey Burial Ground in Lincolnshire.

The American volunteers that flew with the RAF in the Battle are the subject of a book "The Few" by Alex Kershaw ISBN 978-0-718-14746-4