Memorial

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William D. Rollins graduated from Hoover High Shool and worked at the Consolidated Aircraft Co.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve as an aviation cadet in Santa Ana, California on 19 March 1943.

Statement of Cpt Merle J. Gilbertson
"Lt. Rollings was flying on my wing during the mission. In the vicinity of Somme Py, France, approximately 20 miles of Reims, I saw a train and decided first to drop my belly tanks on it and then go down to strafe it. Lt. Rollins followed me down but he must have gone too near the ground because he was immediately heard to say that he was in trouble and was taking a safe course home. There were 8 ships in this same area but no one could see him and before anyone could find him to escort him home he was again heard on the radio saying he was bailing out. This was approximately 1130 A.M. August 20, 1944. I never did see him after this but on my second pass on the train I noticed two marks presumable made by his plane as his tanks dragged on the ground."