World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
William J. Ganley, Jr.
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Essex County, Massachusetts
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: 1ST LIEUTENANT. INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY AIR CORPS NOVEMBER 11, 1942 AT PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. SERVED AS A LOCKHEED P-38 ‘LIGHTING’ FIGHTER PILOT ASSIGNED TO THE 27TH FIGHTER SQUADRON, 1ST FIGHTER GROUP, U.S. 15TH AIR FORCE, STATIONED AT VINCENZO AIRFIELD, SALSOLA, ITALY. KILLED IN ACTION SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1944 WHILE FLYING A COMBAT MISSION IN THE VICINITY OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA. HE IS BURIED IN THE ST. AVOLD (MOSELLE), FRANCE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AIR MEDAL WITH A BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND THE PURPLE HEART WERE AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY. THE AIR MEDAL WAS AWARDED TO THE LIEUTENANT FOR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AERIAL FLIGHT.