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name
WILLIAMSON, W T - Date of
birth
26 July 1920 -
Age
24 -
Place of birth
Texas -
Hometown
Dallas County, Texas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
18083363 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tail Gunner -
Unit
497th Bombardment Squadron,
344th Bombardment Group, Medium
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
23 February 1945 - Place of
death
Geilenkirchen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| L | 4 | 22 |
Immediate family
-
Members
William M. Williamson (father)
Samantha E. (Burk) Williamson (mother)
Mack J. Williamson (brother)
Alex L. Williamson (brother)
Billy B. Williamson (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-34565 -
Data
Type: B-26G
Destination: Geilenkirchen, Germany
Mission: Attack on a railroad bridge
MACR: 12649
More information
S/Sgt attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve in Dallas, Texas on 14 May 1942.
Statement from Theodore R. Peargy, a crew member of another B-26 in the same group:
"After bombs were dropped over target, aircraft was hit by flak. One engine appeard to be afire. Aircraft was making a bank to the right when it went into a spin. Members of my crew watched the descent of the aircraft. It appeared to be under control at an altitude of approximately 8000 feet. A short time later my radio-gunner saw a plane crash and burst into flame. My Co-Pilot saw one man leave the aircraft immediately after it went into the spin, but did not see the chute open. My radio operator also saw one other man leave the aircraft and saw the parachute open."
The entire crew of seven men was killed.
S/Sgt W.T. Williamson is remembered at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census, Shelton-Ferrier, www.flickr.com
Photo source: Des Philippet, www.findagrave.com, www.ancestry.com - Southern Methodist University, 1942