GILL, WILLIAM

William Gill

Army Air Force

Middle Island

William Gill was born on August 13th in New York City. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 11th, 1939. Gill was first assigned to the 3rd Bomb. Squadron, 6th Bomb Group in Panama. Shortly after World War II broke out the unit was moved to a small island in the Galapagos where they flew patrols (searching for enemy ships and submarines?). In 1943 the unit returned to the U.S. to be reassigned. Gill was then assigned to the 459th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, which was based near the town of Cerignola in Italy. The Group operated from an old Italian grape and olive farm and flew B-24 bombers against targets in Germany, Austria, Romania (Ploesti) and other areas. Gill returned to the U.S. after VE Day and was discharged in September 1945. In 1947 he reenlisted in the Air Force and in 1953 was assigned to a communications unit supporting the 58th Fighter Bomber Group in Korea.

Written by,

Merissa Stoecker

Feb. 2007

I was in the 3rd Bomb. Sqdn. in Panama on Dec. 7th, 1941. We moved to various outlying bases eventually ending on on a small island in the Galapagos. From there we flew long patrols over the Pacific. In 1943 the 3rd. Bomb. members returned to the US where we were assigned to various bomb groups. I ended up in the 459th Bomb. Gp. a B-24 outfit flying out of Cerignola, Italy. I returned to the US after VE day and was discharged in Sept. 1945.

In 1947 I reenlisted in the Air Force and in 1953 I was assigned to a communications unit supporting the 58th Fighter Bomber Gp. in Korea.