William Lang Greiner Jr

Military

William Greiner was Pilot of B-17#42-107007. Shot down by fighters on 29 July 1944. Ditched North of Ameland Island, West Friesland, The Netherlands. Prisoner of War (POW).

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32930626
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12136835 at enlistment, then O-817161
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35799789
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17089076 at enlistment, then O-713164
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18122048
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: She-Hasta
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Strafford, Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States 17 January 1917

Enlisted

6 February 1942 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Other

Prisoner of War

29 July 1944 captured on land after having been picked up by a German Marine boat after the ditching of B-17 #42-107007 off Ameland Island, West Friesland, The Netherlands

Died

27 July 1989 Mackeyville, Pennsylvania
Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

WWII Draft Card
SSDI (Social Security Death Index)

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 7815
NARA WWII Enlistment records

Date
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia;
- MACR 7815

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 7815 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database