William D Hawkinson

Military

Assigned to 575BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF. 14 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany in B-26 43-34440. Starboard engine and wing set on fire and hydraulics shot out by fighters, bail out bell rung but did not work, last seen in bomb bay fighting the fire with a CO2 extinguisher, crashed 10 miles NW Bitburg, Germany. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 11486.



Awards: DFC, AM (2 OLC), PH



Pictured at - http://www.sharp.com/health-news/the-legacy-of-mission-203-a-san-diego-…

Connections

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Units served with

An airman of the 391st Bomb Group wearing a service dress jacket and kilt. Written on slide casing: '391 BG.'

391st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Donald N Sharp

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19098258 / O-686499
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

43-34440

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron

Missions

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-95865) nicknamed "Sky Hag" of the 391st Bomb Group.

757

  • Date: 23 December 1944

Places

Aerial photograph of Matching airfield looking south, the technical site is on the left, 19 July 1948. Photograph taken by No. 58 Squadron, sortie number RAF/58/62.English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Matching

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Matching Green

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Quincy, IL, USA 9 August 1921 Son of Laura B Hawkinson.

Enlisted

Peoria, IL, USA 3 September 1942

Died

NW of Bitburg, Germany 23 December 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany in B-26 43-34440. Starboard engine and wing set on fire and hydraulics shot out by fighters, bail out bell rung but did not work, last seen in bomb bay fighting the fire with a CO2 extinguisher, crashed 10 miles NW Bitburg, Germany. KIA. MACR 11486.
Adams County, IL, USA

Based

Matching 23 December 1944 Assigned to 575BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF.

Buried

Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial Saint-Avold Departement de la Moselle Lorraine, France

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/page/529888301_william_d%20hawkinson/details/
https://www.fold3.com/page/84445762_william_d%20hawkinson/details/
https://www.fold3.com/image/46701852
http://www.b26.com/page/marauder_missions_december_23_1944.htm
http://www.sharp.com/health-news/the-legacy-of-mission-203-a-san-diego-…
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56656065