World War II Honoree

William J. Hartter

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Brooklyn, New York

Honored By

Michael Ostermann

Relationship

Nephew

1ST LIEUTENANT, SERVED AS A BOMBARDIER ON A B-24H LIBERATOR AS PART OF THE 776TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON (H), 464TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H), 15TH U.S. AIR FORCE. HIS PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN ON JULY 15, 1944 WHILE RETURNING FROM A BOMBING MISSION TO THE OIL FIELDS AT PLOESTI, ROMANIA. IT WAS HIS 42ND MISSION. HE SAFELY PARACHUTED FROM HIS STRICKEN PLANE AND, WITH THE HELP OF YUGOSLAVIAN PARTISANS, WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO U.S. LINES 3 WEEKS LATER. HE WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND THE AIR MEDAL WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTERS.