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name
NELLIS, William Harrell - Date of
birth
8 March 1916 -
Age
28 -
Place of birth
Santa Rita, Grant County, New Mexico -
Hometown
Clark County, Nevada -
Ethnicity
White
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-887236 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
513th Fighter Squadron,
406th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
27 December 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicnity of Winseler, Luxembourg
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 8 | 34 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Cecil H. Nellis (father)
Margaret L. (Harrell) Nelles (mother)
Cecil L. Nellis (brother)
Marguerite L. Nellis (sister)
Shirley R. (Fletcher) Nellis (wife)
Gary Nellis (son)
Joyce Nellis (daughter)
Plane data
- Serial
number
44-19570 -
Data
Type: P-47D
Destination: The area of Bastogne, Belgium
MACR: 11496
More information
1st Lt Nellis was sent overseas on 21 May 1944 and assigned to the 513th Fighter Squadron on 9 July 1944. He participated in seventy combat missions. He was shot down three times.His airplane was hit by ground fire while strafing a German convoy in Luxembourg. His plane burst into flames and plunged into the ground and Nellis was not seen exiting the aircraft.
In April 1949, the Air Force began its Memorial Program for the purpose of honoring certain individuals who distinguished themselves serving their country. The Air Force began receiving and evaluating recommendations for memorializing outstanding deceased military personalities who distinguished themselves to such an extent that the nation wished to perpetuate their memory by naming military air installations in their honor. Nellis was chosen unanimously by local civic organizations to be honored. Effective 30 April 1950, Las Vegas Air Force Base was officially renamed Nellis Air Force Base. A dedication ceremony to mark the occasion took place on 20 May, with Lieutenant Nellis’ family in attendance.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov
Photo source: www.findagrave.com, Peter Schouteten