William L Salyer

Military

William Salyer was an Armorer Gunner in the 386th Bomb Group. An experienced gunner who had flown on dozens of missions with the Robert Fry crew, Salyer was on his first mission with the crew of Lt Payne, replacing the regular gunner who had completed his tour. He was thus on board B-26 # 42-96184 on 6 August 1944 when it was hit by Flak and crashed into the sea off Trouville-sur-Mer, France. Gunner Franklin Swanson was killed and the five others, including Corporal Salyer, were made Prisoners of War (POW) - Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 7875.



Connections

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Units served with

Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14102783 and O-804892
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18040560 and O-433892
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16058767 and O-743997
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier/Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12139321
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Armorer Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (No 3 Combat Crew Replacement Center)
  • Service Numbers: 14150971
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Kentucky, United States 8 June 1925 the son of Evalena (Caudill) Salyer and her husband (who died before the war)

Enlisted

Chicago, Illinois, United States 20 April 1942 as a Private in the Air Corps

Other

Prisoner of War (POW

6 August 1944 Captured after landing near Trouville-sur-Mer in the Calvados region, France. Interned at Stalag Luft 4 Tychowo/Gross Tychow, Poland. NARA WWII POW records : “Returned to Allied Military control 7/6/1945.”

Died

Ashland, Kentucky, United States 14 November 1983
Ashland, Kentucky, United States

Buried

Rose Hill Burial Park and Mausoleum, Ashland, Kentucky, United States

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Details added to Biography (source : Radio Operator Joseph Weaver's daughter)

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 7875
NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records