William F Middledorf
Military
Object Number - UPL 27696 - Colonel William F Middledorf 569BS, 390BG, 8AF.
William Middledorf served as a co-pilot with the 569th Bomb Squadron of the 390th Bomb Group. He flew bombing missions out of Framlingham, England. On 15 August 1943, he was shot down in B-17F 42-3306. He was able to evade capture, helped by French Resistance Leaders. The names of the French people known to have helped him are Marie Therese Dolores Fabre, Alphonse Fercot and Albert Marcel Blot.
After the war, William remained in the US Air Force, flying with Strategic Air Command (SAC) having qualified as a B-52 pilot and went on to command the 744th Bomb Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, CA. Retired in 1970 ranked Colonel.
Awards: AM, WWII Victory, EAME.
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: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18026239 / O-733667
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Phoenix
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 15 August 1943
Places
- Site type: Cemetery
![A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31027) nicknamed "Honey Chile" and their dog and monkey mascots "Scrappy" and "Joe". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289774.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘AERIAL MASCOTS OF FORTRESS CREWS. PH/MoN. As frisky and friendly a pair of aerial mascots as you'll find in Britain are "Scrappy" and "Joe", pup and monkey team belonging to the](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380433.jpg.webp?itok=L7HbOA_i)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Parham
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Clay County, IN, USA | 28 November 1921 | |
|
Enlisted |
Lafayette, IN, USA | 27 March 1942 | Lafayette, Indiana |
|
Other Flight training |
Waco Regional Airport, 7909 Karl May Dr, Waco, TX 76708, USA | 16 February 1943 | Advanced flight training at Waco Texas. Commissioned 16-Feb-43, as a 2nd Lieutenant. |
|
Other Evaded |
France | 15 August 1943 | Evaded (EVD) capture. |
|
Other Shot down / baled out |
59670 Bavinchove, France | 15 August 1943 | Assigned to 569th 390BG, 8AF USAAF. Shot down 15-Aug-43 in B-17F 42-3306 baled out successfully. Evaded (EVD). MACR 258. |
|
Died |
Alexandria, VA, USA | 16 February 2009 | |
| LaFayette, Indiana | |||
|
Other Flight training |
4783 Andrews Ave, San Antonio, TX 78236, USA | Basic flight training at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. | |
|
Buried/ Commemorated |
Arlington National Cemetery | Interred Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia |
Revisions
Added the details of the French people known to have helped William Middledorf evade capture.
Source: http://aide-aviateurs-allies-ww2.fr/RechercheEvades
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 258 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
