Date of birth:

March 17th, 1919 (Texarcana/Arkansas, United States)

Date of death:

April 30th, 2015

Nationality:

American (1776 - present, Republic)

Loyd Neblet went as Volunteer to the Canadian Air Force in Windsor, Ontario in early 1941 as Leading Aircraftsman. After his basic training at Regina, Saskatoon with the Ground School he joined the Elementary Flying School in Goodridge, Ontario. Advanced training was followed at Branford, Ontario, where he graduated as Sergeant Pilot. By the time he was to go operational, the United States got involved in the Second World War and Neblett was added to the Army Air Corps. On 3rd July 1942 he promoted to 2nd Lieutenant at Columbus, Missisippi. At first he was placed as trainer for young pilots, but he sought for more action. Finally he was transferred as Operations Officer to the 76th Squadron at Bowman Field, Kentucky. After a stay with AFSAT in Florida, het was transferred in August 1943 to the 301st Squadron of the 441st Troop Carrier Group and prepared for leaving to England. Here he was promoted to Captain in April 1944 and was given command over the 301st Troop Carrier Squadron. Via Nottingham they ended up at Merryfield, Somerset for the D-Day operation. During D-Day he transported men of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. After D-Day he waspromoted to Major and stayed commanding his unit. In September 1944 he and his unit took part in the Air Operations for Market Garden and in December in the supplying of the troops in Bastogne. In 1945 he took part in his last operation with the Air Operations for the crossing of the river Rhine. Before the ending of the war he was send back to the United States as Operations and Training Officer at Marfa, Texas. In July 1945 he was promoted to Lieutenant-colonel. He was honoroubly discharged of operational service on 10th January 1946 and went into the USAF reserves. He stayed serving with the Reserves until he retired as Colonel on 17th March 1977.

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• Photo 1: Charles L. Speir
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