William Henderson Laseter
Military
Standing Left to Right: Ralph J. Lackner (P), James P. Phillips (P), Clifford J. Vars (P)
Kneeling Left to Right: William H. Laseter (P), Robert E. Shaft (B/N), George J. Parkhurst (P)
Object Number - UPL 48774 - Officers of the 416th BG - 668th BS - 9th AF Standing Left to Right: Ralph J. Lackner (P), James P. Phillips (P), Clifford J. Vars (P) Kneeling...
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: A-26 Invader
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 669th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-26 Invader
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 668th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-26 Invader
- Nicknames: Bula
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 668th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: A-26 Invader
- Unit: 416th Bomb Group 668th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Melun, Alsace
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Montgomery, Alabama | 24 September 1917 | |
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Other Final 416th BG Combat Mission |
Stod, Czech Republic | 1 May 1944 | Flew 29 combat missions with the 416th BG |
|
Other First 416th BG Combat Mission |
Munstereifel, Germany | 10 February 1945 | |
|
Other Commander of the 17th Recon. Squadron |
Laon/Courvon Airbase, France | 14 November 1958 - 9 January 1961 | Flew the RF-101 Voodoo |
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Died |
Dallas, Texas | 10 November 2012 | Col William Henderson “Bill” Laseter Birth 24 Sep 1917 Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama, USA Death 10 Feb 2012 (aged 94) Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA Burial Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA Add to Map Plot SECTION COL-D ROW CT2 SITE E12 Memorial ID 85040322 · View Source Share Save to Suggest Edits Memorial Photos 2 Flowers 2 Colonel William Henderson Laseter (USAF retired) climbed into the cockpit of his RF-4C Phantom for his final flight – to Heaven – on February 10, 2012, at the age of 94. One of America's "Greatest Generation," Col. Laseter was a pilot who served in WWII, the Korean War, and in Vietnam. He was born on September 24, 1917, in Montgomery, Alabama. He grew up in Montgomery and attended Auburn University, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1940. He joined the United States Army in August, 1941. While stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., he met Janie Elizabeth Bagby of Ft. Worth, Texas. They married on September 3, 1942. Colonel Laseter transferred to the Army Air Corps in August, 1943. Upon receiving his wings, he promptly saw combat in North Africa flying the A-20 and A-26 medium attack bombers as well as the B-25. In 1944, he flew in the D-Day strike force assigned to the 416th Bomber Group of the 9th Army Air Corps. This mission suffered heavy losses due to the flight conditions – flying at low altitude in dense fog. The mission resulted in the 416th receiving the Distinguished Unit Citation. He was later stationed in liberated France at Laon/Athies Air Base from 1944-45. He flew the A-26 and began what was to be his later military career in aerial photo reconnaissance. He received medals and commendations for aerial photo confirmation that some of the German concentration camps were still in operation. After WWII, he returned to Birmingham, Alabama, where he and Janie started their family. The Korean War started and the "Cold War" in Europe was looming. The Alabama Air National Guard was recalled to active duty in 1951. After this, civilian life was " in his rear view mirror." For the next 23 years, he served additional tours in Europe and multiple assignments in the U.S. Col. Laseter was 50 years old when he started his tour of duty in Vietnam. Armed only with the aerial cameras in his RF-4C Phantom, he flew over 100 reconnaissance missions in North and South Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Legion of Merit, The Air Medal (fifth oak leaf cluster) and two Silver Stars for service in Vietnam. Bill and Janie retired in 1974 to Valparaiso, Florida. He earned a Master's Degree in Political Science and served Valparaiso as a County Commissioner. They eventually moved to be closer to their 3 children and their families. They built a home in Lago Vista, Texas. With Bill's leadership, governance was established so that Lago Vista could become a city instead of a community annexation for Austin, Texas. He proudly served as Lago Vista's first mayor. Bill and Janie enjoyed very good times (on and off of the golf course) with their many friends. They loved to travel and especially enjoyed attending as many "Recce" reunions as possible as well as their annual trips to The Masters Golf Tournament. |
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Buried |
Dallas, Texas | 14 November 2012 | Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA Plot SECTION COL-D ROW CT2 SITE E12 |
