Willard Horace Land
Military
416th BG - 669th BS - 9th AF
Left to Right: Robert L. Ballinger (G), Willard H. Land (P), Sterling F. Alden (G)
Object Number - UPL 48802 - Willam H. Land Crew 416th BG - 669th BS - 9th AF Left to Right: Robert L. Ballinger (G), Willard H. Land (P), Sterling F. Alden (G)
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 669th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11100558
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 669th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 36165081
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Aerial Gunner/Togglier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Nicknames: Daddy Land's Commando
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 669th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Nicknames: Winsome Winnie
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 669th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Nicknames: Denver Darling
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 670th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-20 Havoc
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 669th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Melun, Alsace
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
McLeod, Texas | 21 September 1917 | |
| McLeod, Texas | 16 October 1940 | Worked for Griffin-Mahon Oil Company of Caddo, LA | |
|
Enlisted |
Dallas, Texas | 17 April 1942 | |
|
Other First 416th BG Combat Mission |
Bonnieres, France | 11 April 1944 | |
|
Other Final 416th BG Combat Mission |
Mayen, Germany | 14 October 1944 | Flew a 65 combat mission tour |
|
Died |
Kerrville, Texas | 9 July 2009 | Willard H. Land, 91 of Kerrville, Texas, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away July 9, 2009, at his home of natural causes. Mr. Land was born Sept. 21, 1917, in Cass County, McCleod, Texas, to Jasper and Nellie Land. After attending Belshear High School, he was attending The University of Texas at Austin when World War II broke out. He enlisted as an officer trainee/cadet in the Army Air Corps. He graduated as a 2nd Lt./Pilot in 1943 and flew 65 missions in the medium attack bomber, A-20 Havocs, in the European theater between February to October 1944, where he obtained the rank of first lieutenant. After he completed his tour of duty, he returned to the States, where he trained other new pilots to fly the medium attack bombers, making him truly one of the Greatest Generation. Following World War II, he began a career in the oil and gas industry where he met Margery E. Crowe of Shreveport, La. They married on Dec. 24, 1945, and were together until her death in 1981. They settled in Midland, Texas, where they raised three children: twins boys, Mark and Miles, and daughter, Melissa. After retiring from 37 years in the oil and gas industry, he moved to Marble Falls, where he met and married Minnie Warren, until her death in 1998. He was one of the co-founders in the senior activity center in Marble Falls and president of the Lions Club in 1986-87. He later moved to Kerrville, where he became a member of the German Club and met his longtime companion, Nell Lenard of Kerrville. They enjoyed many years of dancing and traveling together. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Kerrville. |
|
Buried |
Midland, Texas | 12 July 2009 | Resthaven Memorial Park Midland, Midland County, Texas, USA |