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name
HARDIN, William Royce - Date of
birth
1924 -
Age
unknown - Place of
birth
Florida -
Hometown
Orange County, Florida
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-770260 -
Rank
Second Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
508th Fighter Squadron,
404th Fighter Group
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 September 1944 - Place of
death
Approximately 12 miles east of Visé, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Ardennes
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| D | 23 | 8 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Samuel J. Hardin (father)
Iva D. (McQuaig) Hardin (mother)
Julia E. Hardin (sister)
Samuel J. Hardin (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-75158 -
Data
Type: P-47D
Destination: Aachen, Germany
Mission: Dive-bombing
MACR: 8707
More information
2nd Lt Hardin graduated from Clermont High School in 1942 and enlisted for pilot training in September of the same year. He received his commission in March 1944 and went overseas in July 1944.Statement from Erwin H. Pounds, Captain, Air Corps, Flight Commander:
"On 8 September 1944 at approximately 1845 hours, my flight dived-bombed the marshalling yards at Aachen, Germany K-6541. After pulling up safely, Lt William R. Hardin joined two other ships and went down to strafe a locomotive. Heavy and light flak was encountered, and I did not see him after that pass."
Source of information: Astrid van Erp, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.fold3.com - MACR, www.newspapers.com - Orlando Evening Star, www.ancestry.com - 1940 Census
Photo source: -, www.newspapers.com - Orlando Evening Star