Memorial

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Billy Bronston attended college and worked in an aircraft factory.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve at Fort Riley, Kansas, on 2 May 1942.

Statement from 1st Lt Robert L. Meserve, who flew in the same group: "I was leading White flight of squadron, providing close escort for bomber task force over target at Braunschweig, Germany on 21 February 1944. 2nd Lt Billy B. Bronston was flying my wing. At 14:15 hours in area southwest Hannover I observed a Ju-88 coming from 9 o'clock below with four P-51s on its tail. When the lead P-51 was about 250 yards behind the Ju-88, the Ju-88 began to smoke badly, and I saw flashes of flame. By this time, my flight was at 21,000 feet, and the combat was taking place at approximately 15,000 feet. Lt Bronston pulled up near me and did a half-roll, diving after the Ju-88, which was, at this time, going straight down. Both aircraft disappeared into a cloud bank, which was at about 10,000 feet. I followed to the top of the overcast and began circling. A FW-190 came up out of the overcast, and I executed a 360 degree turn and went back into the overcast. I started to climb in a tight spiral and saw a Me-109 come zooming up out of the overcast. I executed about a turn and half, and the Me-109 half-rolled into the overcast. I climbed back to 23,000 feet and continued circling, remaining in the area for about five minutes, but Lt Bronston did not reappear."