Richard C. Sanders

Richard C. Sanders crew ferried HALPRO B-24 Malicious overseas.

Richard C. Sanders was born in 1915, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1937 with a bachelor of science degree and was appointed a second lieutenant, Field Artillery Reserve, Sept. 4, 1936, while still in college. He served on extended active duty from July 28, 1937, to June 30, 1938, and from July 5, 1938, to Sept. 30, 1938. He then enlisted as a flying cadet on Oct. 4, 1938, and upon completion of his training was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Reserve, on Aug. 25, 1939. He was called to active duty the next day and was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Corps, Regular Army, on July 1, 1940.

SERVICE
In July 1937, he was ordered to Fort Lewis, Wash., serving with the 10th Field Artillery as battalion reconnaissance and supply officer. He was with the 5th Infantry Brigade on Civilian Conservation Corps duty at Camp Soda Springs, Yakima, Wash., from July to September 1938, when he began his primary flying training at Randolph Field, Texas. Upon graduation from the Air Corps Primary Flying School, he went to Kelly Field, Texas, for advanced training, and upon graduation from the Air Corps Advanced Flying School in September 1939, was assigned to Mitchel Field, Long Island, N.Y., as assistant squadron adjutant, 18th Reconnaissance Squadron. He later served at Langley Field, Va., and Greenville Army Air Base, S.C., with the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron as intelligence and engineering officer. In February 1942, he was assigned to the Tenth Air Force at Patterson Field, Ohio, and Fort Myers, Fla.

He was assigned to the IX Bomber Command in August 1942, and served overseas in the North African and European Theater of Operations as executive officer of a Bombardment Group, chief of staff, XX Bomber Command, and in November 1943, became commanding officer of a bombardment group. In January 1944, he was named administrative officer of the IX Bomber Command in the European Theater of Operations, and in November 1944, was announced as chief of staff of the IX Bomber Command which was then serving in France. In August 1945, he became commanding general of the 99th Bomb Wing in Germany and three months later, was assigned to Headquarters Air Forces Personnel Distribution Command, Louisville, Ky. In March 1946, he was announced as commanding that installation.

DECORATIONS
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in January 1943, for "extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the Middle East Theater." He won an oak leaf cluster to this decoration in May 1943.

In January 1943, he was given the Air Medal and won two oak leaf clusters for this award in January 1944.

In January 1946, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Retired July 1, 1950.   Died Oct. 1, 1976.

Missions Flown

Missions as Pilot

Mission
#         Date    Group  AC serial #  AC_name               Target name
                         RCL

  1   6/24/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious       Benghazi Libya
  2   6/25/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious       Tobruk Libya
  3   6/28/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious       Tobruk Libya
  4   7/  1/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious       Tobruk Libya
  5   7/  3/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious       Convoy Mediterranea
  6   7/  6/1942  15  41-11614 Ripper I          Benghazi Libya 1
  7   7/17/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious       Tobruk Libya
  8   7/21/1942  18  41-11593 Black Maria II  Suda Bay Crete
  9   7/25/1942    1  41-11595 Ole Faithful    Tobruk Libya
10   7/30/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious        Suda Bay Crete
11   9/  1/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious        Canea Crete
12   9/  7/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious        Convoy Mediterranean
13   9/13/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious        Benghazi Libya
14   9/27/1942  18  41-11593 Black Maria II  Benghazi Libya
15 10/  6/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious        Benghazi Libya
16 10/11/1942    2  41-11686 Censored        Convoy Mediterranean
17 10/30/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious        Maleme Crete
18 11/  6/1942  22  41-11603 Malicious        Benghazi Libya
19 11/21/1942  46  41-11603 Malicious        Tripoli Libya
20 12/  4/1942  46  41-11603 Malicious        Naples Italy
21 12/16/1942  46  41-11603 Malicious        Sfax Tunisia
22 12/28/1942  46  41-11603 Malicious        Sousse Tunisia
23   1/11/1943  46  41-11603 Malicious        Naples Italy