- SURNAME
Berkoff
- FORENAME
Lawrence
- UNIT
856 Bomber Squadron (492 Bomber Group)
- RANK
Second Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-823270
- DATE OF DEATH
9th August 1944
- AGE
- GRAVESITE
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Bronx County, New York
born 16.12.1923, Bronx, New York, USA
Next of kin - Mother Anna K. Berkoff, 1920 Harrison Avenue, Bronx, New York
employed by City College
30.06.1942 draft card Bronx, New York
pilot
B-24H 42-52767
multiple engine failure over English Channel
let crew bale out and he crashed in field near Membury, Wiltshire
award D.F.C. (posthumous)
DATE OF DEATH:
09-Aug-1944AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/berkoff-lawrence.32030/CITATION:
Distinguished Flying Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Lawrence Berkoffr, United States Army Air Forces, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as B-24 Liberator Pilot, 856th Squadron, 492nd Bomber Group, EIGHTH Air Force, Lambourn, England on 8 September 1944. On that date, while on a covert mission, Lieutenant Berkoff's B-24 he was piloting suffered mechanical failure and crashed in southwestern England. Lieutenant Berkoff was killed on impact, but not before saving the lives of his entire crew and the lives of scores of civilians on the ground. Their mission was to drop supplies for the French Resistance. Shortly after take off, Lieutenant Berkoff noticed flames ejecting from one of the engines. Not wanting to abort the mission unless absolutely necessary, he decided to circle the field until the flames diminished. As the plane neared the English Channel, engine number one shut off completely and engine number two began emitting flames. Due to the irreparable nature of plane, Lieutenant Berkoff gave the order for the crew to bail out. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Berkoff reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Force Corps.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/42585
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