Medals and badges First Lieutenant Doerr earned

Lyle Joseph Doerr was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Doerr, S. Grant Ave. He entered the service from North Dakota. First Lieutenant Doerr took service in the Army Air Forces. In 1943 he graduated from Stockton Field, California’s aviation school and was assigned to the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomber Group, Heavy.

First Lieutenant Doerr's ribbons and pilot wings

On July 8, 1944, Lt. Doerr sent a V-gram letter to his parents on asking about the family, and asking his mom to send him some food such as fruit, cake and cashew nuts.

First Lieutenant Doerr was pilot in the 8 th Air Force of the B-17 Bomber “Boomerang”, when he and his crew were lost over the English Channel on December 30, 1944. First Lieutenant Doerr was on his 35th and final mission to Bischofsheim, Germany, at the time of his death. There were no survivors from the downed B-17, and Lt. Doerr’s remains were not recovered.

On March 3, 1945, Mrs. Doerr received a letter from HQ USAAF giving her some details of the mission were her son was killed in.

First Lieutenant Doerr death was confirmed May 6, 1945. He was awarded the Air Medal with 4 Oakleaf Clusters, the Presidental Unit Citation and the Purple Heart Medal.

First Lieutenant Doerr's Purple Heart

Memorial services were held in the Presbyterian Church at a Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Rev. Stephan J. Jones conducted the service, assisted by members of the American Legion, who accorded full military honors.

Lt. Doerr is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea at the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, England.