World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
William C. Bender
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Dallas, Texas
Honored By
John C. Burkhardt, SVC MOPH, Chapter 1919, Austin, Texas
SERIAL NUMBER 38-530-958. ENTERED THE SERVICE ON JULY 9, 1943. RECEIVED TRAINING IN SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA. AERIAL GUNNER TRAINING IN YUMA, ARIZONA. SERVED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS, 15TH AIR FORCE, AS A RADIO OPERATOR MECHANIC/ GUNNER 757. SAW ACTION IN NORTH APENNINES, PO VALLEY, NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE, AIR OFFENSIVE EUROPE AND AIR COMBAT BALKANS. WOUNDED IN ACTION ON NOVEMBER 1, 1944, AT VIENNA, AUSTRIA AND WAS HOSPITALIZED AT THE 61ST STATION HOSPITAL. RECEIVED ARMY AIR FORCE TECHNICIAN BADGE, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, 1 OVERSEAS BAR, ARMY AIR FORCE AIR CREW BADGE, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN RIBBON WITH 3 BRONZE AND 1 SILVER STAR DEVICE, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AIR MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE CLUSTERS AND PURPLE HEART MEDAL. DISCHARGED ON OCTOBER 14, 1945.