S/Sgt. William L Whitley was assigned to the 459th Bomb Group, 759th Squadron of the 15th Air Force. He authored a book about his experience entitled: World War II Memoirs of a B-24 Bomber Flight Engineer Gunner in Italy, 1944-45, by T.Sgt. William L. Whitley of Kannapolis (Cabarrus County), recounting his service in the 459th Heavy Bomber Group, 759th Squadron, 15th U.S. Army Air Corps.



Last but not least, Bill Whitley served his country in World War II, as an engineer gunner on a B-24 Bomber. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in January of 1943, completing 35 missions with the 15th U.S. Army Air Corps based in North Africa and Italy during World War II. Some of his awards were The Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, The European-African Middle Easter Service Medal with 6 bronze stars, Medal for Valor, and the Medal for Meritorious Service.