World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
William Y. Anderson
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Chicago, Illinois
Honored By
A Grateful American
Lieutenant, Served with the 354th Pioneer Mustang Fighter Group, 353rd Fighter Squadron, in the European Theater of Operations. The 354th Fighter Group was the first unit to receive the P-51B in Europe. The unit was originally part of the 9th Air Force, but it was quickly taken over by the 8th Air Force to escort their Heavy Bombers on long bombing raids into Germany. The P-51 aircraft played a big part in the destruction of the German Luftwaffe. A military fighter pilot is considered an Ace when he shoots down five or more enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He is credited with destroying seven enemy planes.