Bill C Gilfillan

Military

Had an Agricultural deferment that would have kept him out of the war. Went to the Marine recruiter to enlist but they were out to lunch. The Army Air Corps recruiter happened to be in so he joined the Army Air Corps instead. Was orginally part of Woodrow Lien's crew. Lien was disciplined for not landing on the first third of the runway and reassigned to Wee Willie as copilot. Gilfillan was above and in front of Wee Willie and watched it as it was shot shot down.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

The nose art of the B-17G Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hikin' For Home" of the 91st Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B17-G Fortress. Note the patch on the left breast.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Anne, The Bloody Bucket, Hikin For Home
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron 324th Bomb Squadron 401st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sweet Dish
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron

Places

Revisions

Date
ContributorGilwlg
Changes
Sources

Related to his son in conversation

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Removed connection to B-17 43-38861 as this aircraft was not flown by 91st Bomb Group crews.

Date
ContributorGilwlg
Changes
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as told to me by my father

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum Membership List, July 2000; Wall of Valor form