THE 351ST BOMBER SQUADRON
After graduating from Moody Field and achieving the rank of second lieutenant, Williams was sent to Sioux City, Iowa to complete his combat training. He was then immediately assigned to the 351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group Heavy. On August 10th, 1944 he was sent overseas to Thorpe Abbotts, England. He arrived on August 25th, and the same year he flew his first mission on September 30th. After a total of 24 missions, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and would nearly be promoted to the rank of captain before his death.
The 351st Bomber Squadron
The 351st Bomber Squadron was a section of the 100th Bomber Group Heavy, which was located in Thorpe Abbotts, England. Williams was sent to act as a pilot in this division directly after completing his flight education, and is noted to have flown over major cities. His primary responsibilities were to pilot B-17 Flying Fortress planes on missions designed to bomb German supply lines and other important German infrastructure, the missions he served on consisted of raids with no record of any major battles. The 100th Bomber Group Heavy was a part of the 8th Air Force Division and was represented by the insignia “D”. Often nicknamed the “Bloody Hundredth” for their incredibly high losses of both aircraft and crew, there were divisions who achieved higher losses throughout the war. The 100th Bomber Group Heavy would receive the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Williams served in this division for five months before his death, it was his first and last unit.
The 351st Bomber Squadron
The 351st Bomber Squadron was a section of the 100th Bomber Group Heavy, which was located in Thorpe Abbotts, England. Williams was sent to act as a pilot in this division directly after completing his flight education, and is noted to have flown over major cities. His primary responsibilities were to pilot B-17 Flying Fortress planes on missions designed to bomb German supply lines and other important German infrastructure, the missions he served on consisted of raids with no record of any major battles. The 100th Bomber Group Heavy was a part of the 8th Air Force Division and was represented by the insignia “D”. Often nicknamed the “Bloody Hundredth” for their incredibly high losses of both aircraft and crew, there were divisions who achieved higher losses throughout the war. The 100th Bomber Group Heavy would receive the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Williams served in this division for five months before his death, it was his first and last unit.