Grover Cleveland Williams Jr

Military

Grover Williams was a passenger on board B-17E-BO A/C# 41-9090 transitioning to England from the United States on 27 June 1942 when it had to ditch near an island in Narsarsuaq Fjord, near Narsaq, in 1500ft of water, 35 miles SW of Bluie West One, Greenland. Williams and the rest of the 12-man crew left uninjured and were brought safely to England. On a mission to Bizerte, Tunisia on 18 December 1942, he survived the crash-landing of B-17 #42-5715, shot down by German fighters over Tunisia. The Co-Pilot and three other crew members were killed. No Missing Air Crew Report for the loss of that Fortress.

Connections

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Units served with

Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16004238 at enlistment, then O-724118
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16035613
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The SOONER
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Sooner II
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Florida, United States 12 December 1920 the son of Grover Cleveland Williams Sr

Enlisted

Boca Raton AAF, Florida, United States 11 July 1946 Re-enlisted, as a S/Sgt in the Air Corps

Died

Plant City, Hillsborough County, Florida, United States 12 July 2007

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Capitalized the words "Waist Gunner" in the "Role/job" field.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment Records
US Census 1930
“The Hour Has Come - The 97th Bomb Group in World War II”, pages 68-69