R. J. Lloyd, C-47 Transport Pilot

R. J. Lloyd, World War II C-47 Pilot


One of the most memorable World War II pictures taken was the one where parachute troops were dropped into France, behind the German army lines. Many pictures were taken of this deployment of troops, but the one most remembered in newspapers, magazines and news reels was the one of a soldier whose parachute was caught on a church steeple in a small village in France. He was unhurt – just hanging there trapped in his parachute. The local village people helped him climb safely to the ground. He survived the war and came home to live a normal life. I don’t know whether he is still living.

Many parachutes were a part of this deployment. One fellow soldier was on the ground below the soldier hanging from the church steeple. Two German soldiers appeared from a nearby building. The American soldier shot one of the Germans with his pistol and killed him. The other German shot the American soldier. Before the American died, he killed the other German soldier.

R. J. Lloyd was the pilot of a C-47 transport plane flying on a mission over France. Now deceased, he was a deacon and member of First Baptist Church in Dallas for many years.

Note: See the posted story written by Truitt dated 2/18/10.