Grave Location: Block A, Grave 183

A standard Commonwealth Grave Commission (CWGC) inscribed gravestone.

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 7 OTU 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 5th January 1941 Leckrone was killed on a formation practice, when his Hurricane V6636 collided with P/O EE Orbison in V6983, Leckrone crashing near Scunthorpe. He was the squadron's first fatality, Orbison managed to get his damaged aircraft back to Kirton.

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

His home town airport is called Salem-Leckrone in his honour.

 He is buried along side three other Eagle Squadron members.

From the CWGC Files:

 PILOT OFFICER PHILIP HOWARD LECKRONE

Service Number: 84653

Regiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 71 (Eagle) Sqdn.

Died 05 January 1941

Age 28 years old

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Additional Info: Son of William and Lottie Leckrone, of Salem, Illinois, U.S.A.; husband of Naomi J. Leckrone, of Salem.

Personal Inscription:  "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. " THE FAMILY

PILOT OFFICER

P.H. LECKRONE

PILOT

ROYAL AIR FORCE

5 JANUARY 1941

(CROSS)

"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. " THE FAMILY