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name
LITTLE, William King "Bill" - Date of
birth
10 April 1916 -
Age
27 -
Place of birth
Hunt, Kerr County, Texas -
Hometown
Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-728290 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Bombardier -
Unit
409th Bombardment Squadron,
93rd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross,
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
8 August 1943 - Place of
death
Ploesti, Romania
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 43 | 15 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Riley P. Little (father)
Isabelle R. (Fite) Little (mother)
Chester I. Little (brother)
Riley P. Little (brother)
Thomas C. Little (brother)
Frankie B. Little (sister)
Dorothy D. E. Little (sister)
Charles W. Little (brother)
Billie Little (brother)
Lucille (Tobey) Little (wife)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-40265 -
Data
Type: B-24D
Nickname: Honky Tonk Gal
Destination: Ploesti, Romania
Mission: Bombing of the oil refineries
MACR: 330
More information
1st Lt William K. Little attended college and was a salesman before he joined the Regular Army in Jackson, Mississippi on 5 November 1941.The mission took place on 1 August 1943.
The aircraft flew at an extremely low altitude. It came under heavy fire from both Romanian and German anti-aircraft artillery and enemy fighter planes.
The aircraft was flying to low and had to make a crash landing.
Lt Little was trapped in the plane and said he was not injured seriously. According a Romanian officer, he died a few days later of gasoline poisoning at Sinaia Hospital in Ploesti, Romania.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / WWII Draft Cards Young Men / Lyons Family Tree / 1920 Census, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.findagrave.com – John Armstrong
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Marshall and Mary McIntyre / Mike Weber, www.ancestry.com – Laura Lyons