William Sanders Chappell Jr

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

William Chappell was Radio Operator/Gunner on board B-24H #42-52226 when it fell out of formation after fighter attacks on a return from a mission to Genshagen near Berlin on 6 March 1944. The crew baled over the IJsselmeer, Holland, with three rescued and seven drowned, including William. Killed in Action (KIA).

Connections

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Units served with

Colonel Larry Thomas of the 453rd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Col Larry Thomas 453BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17063523 at enlistment, then O-687662
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16061076 at enlistment, then O-746308
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16082294 at enlistment, then O-690377
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17054896 at enlistment, then O-688935
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37228561
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

2 July 1924 Tennessee, United States

Enlisted

7 December 1942 Ft Bliss, El Paso, Texas

Other

bailed out

6 March 1944 of B-24H #42-52226, over Noord-Holland

Other

Killed In Action

6 March 1944 landed in the Ijsselmeer, The Netherlands, and drowned

Other

body found

14 April 1944 in the waters of the Ijsselmeer, SW of Volendam, Noord-Holland Province, The Netherlands

Buried

25 April 1944 at the Oosterbegraafplaats (Eastern Cemetery) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
El Paso County, Texas

Buried

after the liberation of the area, his remains were buried at the Margraten American Temporary Cemetery, The Netherlands

Buried

after the war, William’s remains were brought to the US, where he rests at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, Texas

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 2970
NARA WWII Enlistment records

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 2970

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 2970

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2970, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces, The Liberator Men of Old Buc