Lt. Phil A. Lichty, LuVerne Flyer, Killed Over England, Oct. 22
First Lt. Phil A Lichty, whose wife, Jeane, lives with her mother, Mrs. Frank Sheffler, 631 2nd, N. E., Mason City, was killed in action over England on Oct. 22, according to a telegram received Oct. 31. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Lichty, live at LuVerne.
A letter received by his wife and written 2 days before he was killed stated that he was just ready to go out on his last mission. Lt. Lichty had been first pilot on a B-17 since August and had been promoted to the rank of first lieutenant on Sept. 15.l He was attached to the 8th air force in England and had been there since last May. In July he had been awarded the air medal.
Before entering the service in January, 1943, Lt. Lichty was employed by the International Harvester company here.
Besides his wife and parents, he is survived by his twin sister, Phyllis, who is employed at the Iowa Hardware Mutual Insurance Company. He was married last December. –Mason City Globe-Gazette
Source: Algona Upper Des Moines, November 14, 1944 (photo included)
Phil A. Lichty was born in 1920 to Phil Council and Permilla H Leggier Lichty. He died Oct. 22, 1944 and is buried in Luverne Cemetery, Luverne, IA.
1st Lt. Lichty served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 398th Bomb Group, 603rd Bomb Squadron as a pilot on a B-17 bomber.
Source: ancestry.com
