World War II Honoree

William B. Hawkins, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Riverside, California

Honored By

Billy, Susan, George, Sharon, Gina & Aunt Jean

Relationship

Children & Sister

FIGHTER PILOT IN CHINA FOR 18 MONTHS STARTING FROM THE SUMMER 1942. HE WAS IN THE 74TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 23RD FIGHTER GROUP, 14TH AIR FORCE. PROVIDED FIGHTER COVER FOR BOMBING MISSIONS AGAINST JAPANESE POSITIONS IN CHINA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA. MADE DIRECT ATTACKS ON JAPANESE POSITIONS, ATTACKING TROOPS, RIVER BOATS, PORTS, AND SHIPS AT SEA. HE SHOT DOWN THREE PLANES, SANK AN OIL TANKER AND SANK A DESTROYER, ALL OFFICIALLY CREDITED. THEN HE CAME BACK TO THE U.S. THEN HE WENT BACK TO THE WAR, THIS TIME IN BURMA AS AN 'AIR COMMANDO', A FIGHTER PILOT OPERATING FROM AN ADVANCE BASE ON A PENINSULA ON THE COAST OF BURMA BEHIND JAPANESE LINES. IT WAS PROTECTED BY BRITISH AND GHURKA UNITS. THE PURPOSE WAS TO PROVIDE FIGHTER COVER FOR BOMBERS COMING OUT OF INDIA TO STRIKE AT JAPANESE BASES IN THAILAND AND SOUTHEAST ASIA. IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL, SURPRISING THE JAPANESE ON THE GROUND AND PRETTY MUCH KNOCKING OUT THEIR AIR CAPABILITY THERE IN ONE STROKE.