Harry, William Russell

Individual Personnel Data
Name Harry, William Russell
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-515826
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #42 dated 4 July 1943, effective 4 July 1943.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 14 October 1943
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12
DecorationsAwarded the Silver Star for 'gallantry in action' during a mission over Germany on 30 July 1943.
Awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 30 July 1943. General Order #88, Headquarters, 1st Bomb Wing dated 16 August 1943.
Citation For
Higher Decoration
SILVER STAR. WILLIAM RUSSELL HARRY, O-515826, Second Lieutenant, Army Air Forces, United States Army. For gallantry in action, while serving as pilot of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany, 30 July 1943. After being forced to drop out of formation, due to lack of oxygen, Lieutenant Harry's plane was subjected to repeated and determined attacks by enemy fighters. Though painfully wounded during the attacks he courageously remained at the controls of his ship and successfully out-maneuvered the attacking planes. It was only by violent evasive action and most skillful flying that Lieutenant Harry was able to bring his airplane back to England, where he accomplished a landing without further injury to any member of the crew. The courage, skill and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Harry on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Home address: Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

Citation Source: 'As Briefed...'
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 29 May 1921
  • Granted a seven day sick leave effective on or about 20 August 1943 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #75 dated 19 August 1943. This order was amender to read ten days vice seven per AAF Station Special Orders #82 dated 26 August 1943.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 840⇓ (17.474 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Harry, William RussellPilotPOW
2nd Lt. Rice, Ivan Luther⇗Co-pilotKIA
2nd Lt. Black, David Hall⇗NavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Mannka, Charles Pershing⇗BombardierKIA
T/SGT. Simpson, Edward Francis⇗Radio Operator / GunnerPOW
T/SGT. Reed, Curry Allen⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerTR
S/SGT. McKenna, John Conat⇗Ball Turret GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Parent, Leroy (NMI)⇗Tail GunnerPOW
CPL. Iverson, Bennie Franklin⇗Flexible GunnerCT
S/SGT. Wheeler, Tom Brooks⇗Flexible GunnerPOW
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 11 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
10⇗ 25 July 1943 Target: Blohm & Voss Aircraft Works and Shipyard
Type: Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑30145⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back 15 miles from English coast because ball turret was inoperative and the RPM on engine #1 dropped to zero.
Sortie Report⇗
11⇗ 28 July 1943 Target: Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel, Germany 		Pilot 42‑30145⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Returned Early
Turned back before target with major battle damage.
Sortie Report⇗
12⇗ 29 July 1943 Target: Naval Base
Type: Military
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Pilot 42‑5051⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back almost immediately because of leak in oxygen system.
Sortie Report⇗
13⇗ 30 July 1943 Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel, Germany 		Pilot 42‑5848⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Crash-landed at Boxted, AAF Station 150, on return, with extensive battle damage due to enemy aircraft and flak, with five wounded crewmen aboard. 2nd Lt. William Russell Harry awarded Silver Star (see 'As Briefed' p. 197).
Sortie Report⇗
20⇗ 3 September 1943 Target: Air Park and Aerodrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Romilly-sur-Seine, France 		Pilot 42‑29935⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Sortie Report⇗
22⇗ 7 September 1943 Target: Bruxelles-Evere Airfield/Repair Depot
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Brussels / Bruxelles, Belgium 		Pilot 42‑29935⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
23⇗ 9 September 1943 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Lille-Vendeville, France 		Pilot 42‑30005⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
24⇗ 16 September 1943 Target: Blockade Runner Ship (in Loire River)
Type: Transportation
Location: Nantes, France 		Pilot 42‑30005⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
26⇗ 27 September 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany 		Pilot 41‑24560⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Ground Spare Aircraft, replaced 42‑30005.
Sortie Report⇗
27⇗ 2 October 1943 Target: Port Facilities
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany 		Pilot 42‑30005⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
28⇗ 4 October 1943 Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Pilot 42‑30033⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
29⇗ 8 October 1943 Target: Workshops
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑5086⇗ Air-sea rescue ship. Remainder of crew not identified.
Sortie Report⇗
30⇗ 9 October 1943 Target: Aircraft Factories
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Anklam, Germany 		Pilot 42‑30005⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
31⇗ 10 October 1943 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Münster, Germany 		Pilot 42‑30005⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑30196.
Sortie Report⇗
32⇗ 14 October 1943 Target: Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Pilot 42‑29800⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Knocked down by enemy aircraft; crashed near Simmershofen, Germany; MACR 840.
Sortie Report⇗

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