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Personal info

Full name
HALLER, William George "Bill"
Date of birth
13 July 1920
Age
24
Place of birth
Barberton, Summit County, Ohio
Hometown
Doylestown, Wayne County, Ohio

Military service

Service number
O-809948
Rank
First Lieutenant
Function
Pilot
Unit
410th Bombardment Squadron,
94th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
5 November 1944
Place of death
In the vicinity of Wiesenthal, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Lorraine
Plot Row Grave
D 46 16

Immediate family

Members
Philip J. Haller (father)
Evelyn J. (Bringard) Haller (mother)
Robert P. Haller (brother)
Dale E. Haller (brother)
Mary H. (Pekala) Haller (wife)
Carolyn Haller (daughter)

Plane data

Serial number
43-38727
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: The Characters
Destination: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the oil refeneries
MACR: 10306

More information

1st Lt William G. Haller graduated from Doylestown High School with the class of 1938 where he won many honors in the field of speech among these, one which has never before or since been granted to a student in the vicinity. He was chosen as the most outstanding actor in the Ohio State Thespian Play Contest at Kent, in his sophomore year when he was a member of the one act play "The Valiant." He won other honors in individual speech contests. He was also a member of the glee club and was cheerleader in 1937 and 1938. He attended Notre Dame College for one year and was a member of the glee club there. He worked in a number of places before entering the army: Zody's Grocery, Schondels' Filling Station, Hoagland's Hardware in Wadsworth, and at the Columbia Chemical Company in Barberton.

He was married to Mary Helen Pekala on 3 January 1942.

He enlisted on 16 July 1942 and was sent to an armament school in Colorado for about two months, he then enlisted as pilot and received his Air Corps pre-training in Florida. He received his wings when he graduated in Columbus, Mississippi in August 1943. He was sent overseas in April 1944.

Lt. Haller had completed 33 missions.

His brother Robert served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific.

Statement made in MACR:
"In compliance with basic communication, this Group can supply only the following information: The aircraft which Pilot Haller and crew were flying was observed to be hit by flak directly over the target (Ludwigshafen). Number two (2) engine was observed to be on fire and the tail section of the airplane was severely damaged. The aircraft was flying at 27,000 feet when hit by flak. Four (4) chutes were observed to come out of of the aircraft almost immediately and the aircraft last altitude while flying in a slow spiral to the left, apparently under control. Observers reported that the left wing was in flames. The weather at flight altitude was clear and the visibility was good. There was a complete undercast at about 10,000 feet and the aircraft was last seen as it entered these clouds. Observers reported that there was sufficient time for all members of the crew to get out of the aircraft."

He was initially buried at the community cemetery of Kirrlach, Germany on 13 November 1944.

Source of information: FOHF, Kathy McDermott, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census / Haller Tree / Headstone and Interment Record / Summit County, Ohio, Marriage Records, 1840-1980, www.fold3.com - MACR,
http://www.8thafhs.com
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Luxembourg American Cemetery, Dwight “Andy” Anderson, Wooster Daily Record - 15 January 1945