William Howard Downey

Military

William Downey was a Co-Pilot in the 94th Bomb Group / 410th Bomb Squadron. Shot down in B-24 #42-29710 on the 29 May 1943 mission to naval depots in Rennes, France. Prisoner of War (POW).

Connections

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Units served with

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'

94th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Oliver J Carroll

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19065021 and O-729712
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Theodore G Ferentinos

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32461783
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Frank R Koch

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16065347
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner

Winston Edward Lowe

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37195457
  • Highest Rank: Private First Class
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Ernest George Muir

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35437505
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

42-29710

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell Below
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Monterey, California, United States 17 May 1918 the son of William G. and Rose Downey

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Żagań, Poland 29 May 1943 - 29 April 1945 Interned in Stalag Luft 3, Sagan, Poland. On forced march from there to Stalag 7a Moosburg, Germany where he was liberated by US troops. NARA WWII POW records : “Returned to Military control 27 April 1945.“

Other

Made prisoner

Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, France 29 May 1943 Captured on 29 May near Saint-Briac-sur-Mer.

Died

Sacramento, California, United States 1 September 2001
Burlingame, San Mateo County, California, United States

Buried

William Downey rests at Section 65, Grave 3101

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Removed a space in the "Summary biography" to aid readability.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 15139
NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 15139 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database