William Martin Scruggs Jr
Military2nd Murray, Herrin, Benward, Spatz
Just after 1st mission over Germany
Information from John Houston's family
Assigned to 534BS, 381BG, 8AF USAAF. Flew 25 x combat missions. Survived crash and subsequent explosion / inferno in B-17 44-6418 'Smashing Thru'. Badly burned in accident and with a broken leg. Hospitalised for 3 years before being medically retired.
Service times: Active Duty (Training & Combat) 2 years, 11 mths, 24 days. Military Hospitals: 2 years, 9 months, 17 days.
Awards: AM, PH, EAME (2 battle stars), WWII Victory, American Campaign, Legion d'Honneur.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32073896 / O-757387
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35589038
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
Aircraft
Missions
- Date: 19 June 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Monticello, Florida | 1 October 1921 | Son of William Martin Snr and Eulee [Boulware] Scruggs. |
Enlisted |
Gainesville, FL | 20 August 1942 | |
Other Survived crash WIA |
Vicinity of Great Yeldham | 13 July 1944 | Survived crash in B-17 44-6418 'Smashing Thru'. Broken leg and badly burned in accident. |
Other Returned US |
19 October 1944 | ||
Died |
Gainesville, FL | 1 August 2014 | |
Buried |
Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL | 26 September 2014 | Florida National Cemetery Bushnell, Sumter County, FL |
Based |
Ridgewell | 13 July 1944 | Assigned to 534BS, 381BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/607458455
https://www.fold3.com/image/209060442?rec=209060533
https://www.fold3.com/record/84023879-william-m-scruggs-jr
https://www.fold3.com/record/84023879-william-m-scruggs-jr
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/44-6148-smashing-thru/
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=98013
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133661181/william-m-scruggs
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self, www.381st.org/UnitHistory/Data/Roster.aspx