World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
William D. Bernier
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Montana
Honored By
A Grateful American
FIRST LIEUTENANT, BOMBARDIER, B-24 LIBERATOR 'HOT GARTERS', 321ST SQUADRON (BOMBS AWAY), 90TH BOMB GROUP 'JOLLY ROGERS', 5TH AIR FORCE, SERVING IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. MEMBER OF BRYANT POULSON CREW. ON APRIL 10, 1944, HE WAS ON A BOMBING RUN AGAINST HANSA BAY WHEN HIS PLANE WAS HIT WITH ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE AND CRASHED NEAR NUBIA. SOME OF THE MEN WERE ABLE TO BAIL OUT, BUT THEY WERE NEVER SEEN AGAIN. THE CREW WAS OFFICIALLY DECLARED DEAD THE DAY OF THE MISSION. MISSING AIR CREW REPORT 4505. AWARDED: AIR MEDAL WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, PURPLE HEART.