William E Roach
Military
Randy Sprout
Object Number - UPL 38560 - Crew of Fort Worth Jail House, 92nd Bomb Group
Assigned to 326BS, 92BG, 8AF USAAF. Reg Hammond crew. Wounded in action on 28-Mar-45 in B-17 43-38574 'Russian Lullaby', but continued with his crew to the target and completed the bomb run despite his head wound. Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross for this mission. Retired from the USAF in 1965 as a Lieutenant Colonel, total flight time - 5000 hours. Operational aircraft flown - B-17, B-29, B-50, B-45, B-57, B-52 ("G" and "H" models).
Awards: DFC, AM, PH, WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16153156 / O-828164
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32983306
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16147268
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17151596 / O-781441
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Russian Lullaby
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron 407th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 28 March 1945
Places
![A bomber crew of the 92nd Bomb Group return to Podington following a mission flying B-17 Flying Fortresses to Wittenberg. A B-17 Flying Fortress (NV-K, serial number 42-29994) is visible in the background. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 23 Feb 1945' [stamp]. ' News Chronicle Copyright Picture' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Crew back from Wittenberg.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379172.jpg.webp?itok=G7D0FciD)
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
7 December 1924 | Born in Plattsburgh, NY | |
|
Died |
16 February 2009 | Died in Binghamton, NY, buried in Arlington National Cemetery. | |
|
Based |
Podington | Assigned to 326BS, 92BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
Son of William Earl Roach. Originally listed as William D. Roach. Changed middle initial and added in military awards not previously shown in additon to updated Bio.
Images of Roach with other known members of the 92nd Bomb group https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/38560
"Crew of the Week" narrative https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/38564
