World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
William R. Greason
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Staff Sergeant. He was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps August 3, 1942 at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Following his Basic Military Training; he was selected to attend the Flight Aviation Training Program. He served as a Right Waist Gunner aboard the B-17H ‘Flying Fortress’ Bomber “Yard-Bird II”, assigned to the 360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group and an element of the U.S. 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ Army Air Forces. His unit was based at the Royal Air Force Station Molesworth Location: Cambridgeshire, England. Saturday, October 2, 1943 the 303rd Bomber Group participated in a Bombing Mission to the industrial area of Emden, Germany. His aircraft with eleven crewmembers on board was hit by gunfire from two German ME-109s Fighters, after leaving the target. He was reported Missing-in-Action when his Fortress peeled off, out of control, crashing into the Wadden Sea (North Sea). In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing memorialized at: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Cambridge, England. In his Memory, this American Patriot received the following Decorations posthumously: Air Medal, Purple Heart, and his Silver Aviator Badge. The Air Medal was awarded to the Sergeant for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. The Purple Heart was awarded for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.