William C. Martin was born on March 25, 1919, in Texarkana, Arkansas. He served with the 338th Bombardment Squadron, 96th Bombardment Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-17F #42-29767, nicknamed "Boot Hill," during World War II.

On May 17, 1943, the "Boot Hill" was shot down over Brittany, France, during a bombing mission against German military installations at Lorient. Piloted by 1Lt Louis Lafayette Haltom, the aircraft was among 20 bombers dispatched by the group that morning, departing England at approximately 8:30 a.m. Before reaching the French coast, the bomber encountered mechanical difficulties when the supercharger on its No. 3 engine failed. Despite the malfunction, Haltom continued the mission. During the bombing run, the aircraft was struck by German anti-aircraft fire, damaging its engines and right horizontal stabilizer. Although the crew managed to complete the bombing run, the damaged Flying Fortress began losing speed and altitude, gradually falling behind the main formation. While attempting to return to England, the isolated bomber came under attack from German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters, which inflicted further damage and wounded several crew members. With two engines severely damaged and the aircraft unable to maintain altitude, Haltom realized that reaching the English Channel was no longer possible and ordered his crew to bail out. The surviving airmen parachuted into the countryside of occupied Brittany before the crippled bomber crashed near Kéramprès, approximately four kilometers southeast of Plonévez-du-Faou in the Finistère department of France, at around 12:30 p.m. Of the eleven crew members aboard, two were killed, German forces captured three, and six successfully evaded capture with assistance from local French civilians and Resistance networks.

During the engagement, a 20mm cannon shell struck Martin in the side, injuring his left arm and throwing him against the ball turret. As the crippled bomber began its final descent, fellow crew member S/Sgt Roy Martin attempted to help him secure his parachute, but the aircraft suddenly entered a steep dive, pinning both men to the floor. When the tail section broke away, they were swept out through the rear of the aircraft. William survived the fall and landed in occupied France, where he eventually received assistance from local civilians. Despite his injuries, he later reunited with five other surviving crew members as they began their escape through the French countryside. When the group separated to avoid German detection, William traveled with Roy Martin, Glen Wells, and Herman Marshall to Saint-Quay, where Countess Betty de Mauduit provided shelter at her château. The airmen remained concealed until increasing German scrutiny forced them to move elsewhere. By mid-July, the six surviving evaders had reunited and continued their journey through occupied France with assistance from local civilians and Resistance networks, including Vladimir Bouryschkine. William eventually escaped through the Pyrenees into Spain and reached Allied-controlled territory.

Currently, we don't have details about his post-war life, death, or burial location.

Sources of information: www.rumboogiecrew.com, francecrashes39-45.net, rcmcollection.com