Brigadier General LaVerne G. Saunders
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF)

Background
LaVerne G. Saunders was born March 21, 1903 to parents George W. Saunders and Margaret Flaherty Saunders in Stratford, South Dakota. He attended school inn Stratford in Groton, ND and Central High School in Aberdeen, SD. Enrolled in the University of South Dakota class of 1924 and played football between 1920–1923 and was a two-time all-conference player and graduated with a Batchelor of arts degree.

Appointment to the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) class of 1928 and played football and was All-American in his senior year. Playing football for Army, he was nicknamed "Blondie" although he had black hair. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry. On September 8, 1929 became an aviation cadet and underwent primary flight training at Brooks Field in Texas and advanced flight training at Kelly Field. On November 21, 1929 transfered to the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). His first assignment was with the 2nd Bombardment Group (2nd BG) at Langley Field in Virginia then returned to West Point as an assistant coach for the football team between 1931 to 1939.

Wartime History
On December 15, 1939 as a Major became the Commanding Officer (C.O.) of 23rd Bombardment Squadron (23rd BS) at Hickam Field. Next, became the Commanding Officer (C.O.) of the 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG). On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On December 7, 1941 at Hickam Field during the Japanese attack with many planes destroyed but managed to launch patrols later in the day but they were unable to find the enemy fleet.

Next, sent overseas to the South Pacific (SoPAC) to Espiritu Santo. During July 1942, Rear Admiral John S. McCain tasked Col. Saunders with a maximum effort bombing campaign for a week before the U.S. invasion of Tulagi and Guadalcanal. During the Guadalcanal campaign, he became an advisor for Admiral William F. Halsey and became commanding general of the VII Bomber Command and chief of staff of Seventh Air Force.

On July 31, 1942 flew as an observer on a B-17E Flying Fortress as one of seven bombers (two from 98th BS and five from 26th BS) on the first U.S. bombing mission against Guadalcanal but experienced bad weather and ineffective anti-aircraft fire and escaped before floatplanes could intercept.

On November 18, 1942 flew as an observer on B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24531 leading a formation of ten B-17s on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping off southern Bougainville. Inbound to the target, the main formation that split into two elements of five bombers each. This B-17 was leading the first element and arrived over the target area at 12,000' and were targeted by accurate and heavy anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters and floatplanes. On the first bomb run, the bombs failed to release and all five bombers went around for a second bomb run. During the second bomb run, the formation was against targeted by anti-aircraft fire and intercepted by roughly fifteen fighters. Again, the bombs failed to release, but the other four bombed and claimed hits on ships then turned for home still and were attacked by fighters. Twice, this B-17 was attacked by fighters making head-on firing passes, concentrating on the nose. The attacks killed pilot Major Sewart and mortally wounded the co-pilot 1st Lt. Lee. Immediately, observer Colonel Saunders took the controls. Damaged during the attacks, the no. 2 engine was feathered and no. 1 engine was running away and smoking. The no. 2 fuel tank was on fire. The crippled bomber was protected by the other B-17s from the second element as it left the target area. This B-17 was able to fly on only two engines but lost altitude and ditched off Baga Island (Mbava) near Vella Lavella and broke into two pieces and quickly sank. Pilot Sewart was already dead and went down with the bomber when it sank. The rest of the crew successfully deployed their life rafts and were rescued by PBY Catalina.

On December 25, 1942 promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.

In March 1943, General Arnold ordered Saunders to Washington to become a deputy chief of Air Staff.

In July 1943 he began organizing and training the 58th Bomb Wing (Very Heavy), the first B-29 Superfortress wing. In April 1944 arrived in India. On June 15, 1944 led a strike by 68 B-29s against Yawata Steel works in Japan.

On September 18, 1944 took off piloting B-25D Mitchell 41-30456 on an administrative flight and crashed on take off roughly two miles northeast of Piardoba and was injured with a crushed ankle and was later rescued and was in the hospital and had part of his leg amputated. Afterwards, he spent the next two and a half years recovering.

Postwar
On February 28, 1947 retired from military service due to his injury and returned to Aberdeen, ND and became the district manager of Rushmore Mutual Life Insurance Company and president of Saunders Motor Sales.

Memorials
Saunders died November 16 1988 at age 85. He is buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Aberdeen, ND.

Awards
For his World War II service, Saunders earned the Army Distinguished Service Medal (DSM), Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Air Medal.

Relatives
Maurice M. Saunders (son died A-26 Invader crashed January 16, 1954)

References
U.S. Air Force Biographies - Brigadier General LaVerne G. Saunders (photo, biography)
Hall of Valor - Laverne George Saunders (award citations)
FindAGrave - BG Laverne George “Blondie” Saunders (photo, grave photo)
The First Solomons Air Campaign (2024) by Richard Dunn

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