World War II Honoree

William Henry Foster, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Calumet City, Illinois

Honored By

John H. Foster

Relationship

Son

IN LATE 1941 HE WAS STATIONED AT EGLIN FIELD, FLORIDA AND WAS ASSIGNED AS GROUND CREW CHIEF ON B-25 AIRCRAFT. HE WAS IN THE GROUP THAT TRAINED DOOLITTLE'S CREWS FOR THE APRIL 1942 RAID ON TOKYO FROM THE DECK OF THE CARRIER USS HORNET. ON NOVEMBER 26, 1943 WHILE IN CONVOY ABOARD THE HMT ROHNA, OFF THE COAST OF NORTH AFRICA, HE BECAME THE VICTIM OF A GERMAN AIR ATTACK THAT USED A REMOTELY GUIDED BOMB THAT SANK THE SHIP IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, LOSING 1015 TROOPS. HE DIED AS RESULT OF WOUNDS. HIS GROUP WAS HEADED TOWARD THE CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL, WHERE HE WAS TO CREW THE SUPPLY AIRCRAFT FLYING THE HUMP IN SUPPORT OF THE CHINESE EFFORT AGAINST JAPAN. IN 1949 HIS BODY WAS RETURNED FROM TUNISIA FOR BURIAL WITH MILITARY RITES AT ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS.