William Robert Ealey was born on May 23, 1922. He was the son of Walter Maine Ealey and Mary Sue Watts Ealey. Lieutenant Ealey entered service March 9, 1942, and became a radar operator. He won five pairs of silver wings from the Army Air Forces, and was given a personal citation by General Chennault.

He was killed April 20, 1945. The co-pilot of his plane, who survived, but who has a permanent injury, said Lieutenant Ealy was radarman on a bombing expedition into enemy territory which was hit by flak. All the crew bailed out except Ealey, and he remained behind to destroy his radar equipment. When he did jump, his parachute failed to open. He was initially buried at Kunming, China and is now buried in Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Benton County, Arkansas, USA.

William was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com