World War II Honoree

William R. Preddy

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Greensboro, North Carolina

Honored By

Mrs. Rachel P. Harris

Relationship

Sister

FIGHTER PILOT, P-51 MUSTANG. ARRIVED IN ENGLAND, JANUARY 1945, CLAIMED TWO VICTORIES ON MARCH 2nd (ADJUSTED TO ONE AERIAL VICTORY PLUS ONE PROBABLE). ON APRIL 17, 1945, WHILE ON A MISSION NEAR PRAGUE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, ENCOUNTERED ENEMY PLANES AND WAS REPORTED MISSING. LATER DECLARED KILLED IN ACTION. LEARNED IN 1991 THAT HE WAS SHOT DOWN BY ENEMY ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE WHILE STRAFING THE AIRFIELD AT CESKE BUDEJOVICE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA. SERVED WITH THE 503RD FIGHTER SQUADRON, 339TH FIGHTER GROUP. BURIED IN LORRAINE AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERY, ST. AVOLD, FRANCE.