William C. Fetterman
William “Bill” Clifford Fetterman was born on November 21, 1922 in Vandergrift Pennsylvania to Asa and Vivian Fetterman. He was the youngest with five siblings, four brothers and one sister. During his high school years he worked for a grocery store. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Garmong, in February 1943.
William “Bill” Clifford Fetterman was born on November 21, 1922 in Vandergrift Pennsylvania to Asa and Vivian Fetterman. He was the youngest with five siblings, four brothers and one sister. During his high school years he worked for a grocery store. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Garmong, in February 1943.
Nine months after his marriage, on November 1, 1943 at the age of 21, he was sent to war. He served as Staff Sergeant William Fetterman in the Army Air Forces. He was part of the 7th Bomber Group and the 9th Bomber Squadron.
Nine months after his marriage, on November 1, 1943 at the age of 21, he was sent to war. He served as Staff Sergeant William Fetterman in the Army Air Forces. He was part of the 7th Bomber Group and the 9th Bomber Squadron.
On his third mission on December 1, 1943 at the age of 22, Staff Sergeant Fetterman was killed in action. He was stationed in Ensein, Myanmar (Burma). Fetterman was the radio operator in a B-24j with the 9th Bomb Squad when his crew met with enemy fire. The only two men to survive the explosion were taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese and sent to a camp in Rangoon. Years later, one of those men would call Fetterman’s wife to tell her what had happened that day. Fetterman’s remains were recovered but lost again when the C-47 transporting them crashed on its way to India.
On his third mission on December 1, 1943 at the age of 22, Staff Sergeant Fetterman was killed in action. He was stationed in Ensein, Myanmar (Burma). Fetterman was the radio operator in a B-24j with the 9th Bomb Squad when his crew met with enemy fire. The only two men to survive the explosion were taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese and sent to a camp in Rangoon. Years later, one of those men would call Fetterman’s wife to tell her what had happened that day. Fetterman’s remains were recovered but lost again when the C-47 transporting them crashed on its way to India.
Although he had served only a short amount of time, he is remembered for his bravery and sacrifice while fighting. Staff Sergeant William Fetterman was awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.
Although he had served only a short amount of time, he is remembered for his bravery and sacrifice while fighting. Staff Sergeant William Fetterman was awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.
Sources: http://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=108435, https://bringhomec47.wordpress.com/ourheroes/ssgt-william-c-fetterman/, https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=fetterman&GSfn=william&GSmn=c&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=150666340&df=all&, https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56767321
Sources: http://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=108435, https://bringhomec47.wordpress.com/ourheroes/ssgt-william-c-fetterman/, https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=fetterman&GSfn=william&GSmn=c&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=150666340&df=all&, https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56767321
