William J Waldron

Military
media-22970.jpeg UPL 22970 William J. Waldron Crew at the completion of B-17 crew training at Ardmore, Oklahoma, about September 1944.
B-17G-45-VE #44-8055 - 222nd Base Unit - Ardmore AAF
Back row (L to R):
William J. Waldron (pilot), Oscar F. Eshleman (copilot), Joseph S. Shuster (navigator), and Russell C. Neu (bombardier)
Front row (L to R):
Benedict A. Andrew (engineer-top turret gunner), George J. Ferenchak (radio operator), Eugene S. Isley (armorer-waist gunner), Charles K. Brokke (waist gunner), Reuben F. Baganz (ball turret gunner), and James P. Naughton (tail gunner).

The crew deployed to England and was assigned to the 836th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group, at Army Air Forces Station 137 near the village of Lavenham, Suffolk, England on 19 October 1944. Charles Brokke was taken off the crew after arrival at Lavenham. The crew flew with only waist gunner, as was the custom at that time.

The crew was shot down near Liege, Belgium on December 24, 1944. Eshleman, Shuster, Andrew, Ferenchak, Baganz, and Naughton were killed in action. Waldron, Neu, and Isley survived.

"The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" - Roger Freeman
page 285

Object Number - UPL 22970 - William J. Waldron Crew at the completion of B-17 crew training at Ardmore, Oklahoma, about September 1944. B-17G-45-VE #44-8055 - 222nd Base Unit -...

On 24 Dec 1944, B-17G #43-38926 'Weary Willy' piloted by Lieutenant William J. Waldron was attacked by fighters and crashed in Belgium near where a tank battle raged. Waldron and Russell Neu survived and returned.



Purple Heart, Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Clusters

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 487th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16157552
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron 838th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2058133
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot, Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12054610
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19165833
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron

Places

Officers of the 487th Bomb Group outside the 838th Bomb Squadron operations room.
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Lavenham/Alpheton Airfield

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Bellville, New Jersey 16 December 1916

Other

Shot Down

Rouvreux, 4140 Sprimont, Belgium 24 December 1944 Blown clear of the a/c when it blew up after being attacked by German fighters.

Died

Key Largo, FL 33037, USA 15 January 1986

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

"The History of the 487th BG" - Ivo De Jong
page 197

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

"The History of the 487th BG" - Ivo De Jong
page 197

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / The History of the 487th BG Roll of Honor pp. 302-5 and account pp 197-8 MACR 11675 / http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/WaldronCrew.shtml

William J Waldron: Gallery (1 items)