William L Salyer
MilitaryWilliam Salyer was an Armorer Gunner in the 386th Bomb Group. An experienced gunner who had flown on dozens of missions with the Robert Fry crew, Salyer was on his first mission with the crew of Lt Payne, replacing the regular gunner who had completed his tour. He was thus on board B-26 # 42-96184 on 6 August 1944 when it was hit by Flak and crashed into the sea off Trouville-sur-Mer, France. Gunner Franklin Swanson was killed and the five others, including Corporal Salyer, were made Prisoners of War (POW) - Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 7875.
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14102783 and O-804892
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18040560 and O-433892
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16058767 and O-743997
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier/Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12139321
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Armorer Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center)
- Service Numbers: 14150971
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
- Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Little Easton
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Kentucky, United States | 8 June 1925 | the son of Evalena (Caudill) Salyer and her husband (who died before the war) |
Enlisted |
Chicago, Illinois, United States | 20 April 1942 | as a Private in the Air Corps |
Other Prisoner of War (POW |
6 August 1944 | Captured after landing near Trouville-sur-Mer in the Calvados region, France. Interned at Stalag Luft 4 Tychowo/Gross Tychow, Poland. NARA WWII POW records : “Returned to Allied Military control 7/6/1945.” | |
Died |
Ashland, Kentucky, United States | 14 November 1983 | |
Ashland, Kentucky, United States | |||
Buried |
Rose Hill Burial Park and Mausoleum, Ashland, Kentucky, United States |