Memorial

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S/Sgt William M. Anderson volunteered for the Air Corps of the U.S. Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota on 27 October 1942. He attended college for 1 year.

Statement from Manuel A. Protos, 1st Lt, Navigator:
"Right after bombs away five enemy fighters pressed in the attack on this aircraft from 2;00 o´clock position and scored hits. The aircraft reeled up out of formation, out of control and blew up after about 30 seconds. I saw parts of the plane falling with smoke trailing out behind.
Seven parachutes were observed leaving the plane, which fell to the ground in burning pieces. He was dead in his position."

Letter from fellow crew member Harry Gnong:
"I first met Bill on the windy plains of an airbase in Pocatello Idaho, Spring of 1943. He was freshly graduated from aerial gunnery school in, I believe, Texas and sported S/Sgt Chevrons, Silver Gunners Wings and a radiant smile which turned out to Bill Anderson's trademark. I was a brand new second lieutenant, a graduate of ten months in a Texas Bombardier School. We were assigned to the crew of First Pilot Lt. Bob Wozniak from Chicago, Illinois. Rounding out with seven other freshly minted air-crew, we graduallly melded together in "Phase Training"in heavy bombers. We flew high above the Rocky slopes of Idaho and surrounding states. Thundering as far south as Biloxi Mississippi. I remember Bill as a bright, ruddy faced, Minnesotoan, wearing a constant half smile, who fell in easily with fellow enlisted men, Max Barlion, George Shady and Bob Hunt, and was always my dependable assistant as an armorer gunner. We grew together as a well knit crew in the cramped quarters of a B-24 in long distance practice missions for three months. We flew in all kinds of weather conditions, day and night. Bombed and strafed desert targets in endless rounds of fire until we became bored with what seemed endless practicing, and actually longed for real combat. Bill looked forward eagerly, as he did with everything. He always accepted his duties as tail gunner seriously and often helped me with pre-flight checks with bomb shackles and pins. Always with his patented smile and friendliness. Off duty Bill enjoyed life with other crew members, tying one on when the occasion allowed, but always back on site when duty called. My last clear recollection was during a fateful mission over Brunswick, Germany on February 20, 1944. Once airborne and safely on course, it was my responsibility to remove the safety pins arming the bombs. Bill assisted in this operation. Finishing this rather delicate manuever, he handed me his pins with a smile, a thumbs up signal and made his way back to his tail gun position. It was the last time I was to see Bill Anderson. After successfully bombing the target at Brunswick we were savagely attacked by a squadron of Folke-Wulfe fighter planes mortally wounding our battle scarred B-24. Listing perilously to starboard and number four engine burning furiously, the fire spreading unchecked, we had no choice but to bail out before the heavy load of gasoline exploded. To the best of my knowledge in the ensuing desperate moments, their was no panic involved, just ten men doing their utmost to clear the obviously stricken ship before a cataclysmic explosion occurred. Miraculously nine of us made it with various small injuries. The tenth one, Bill, was never heard from again. Needless to say the entire crew was devastated by the apparent loss of one of our favorite crewmates. His loss weighed heavily upon us all throughout our entire 15 months of incarceration as prisoners. For my part I have never forgotten Bill Anderson for the brave co-operative airman he was during our brief stay together in the trying years of World War II. I hope this small remembrance helps to bring closure to a brief life well spent for his country."

S/Sgt Anderson was first buried in a temporary grave at Margraten on 7 June 1945. He was disinterred on 5 August 1948 and his remains were prepared and placed in a casket on 12 August 1948. He was given his final resting place on 6 January 1949.