William Joseph Bermande was born on July 9, 1907 in Connecticut. He resided in New London County, Connecticut prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army in January 16, 1943 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Salesperson and also as Single, with dependents. He served as a Technical Sergeant and a Radio Operator on the B-17G #44-6174, 816th Bomber Squadron, 483rd Bomber Group, U.S. Air Force during World War II.

B-17G #44-6174 took off from Sterparone, Italy on July 18, 1944 on a bombing mission over Memmingen, Germany. Prior to "bombs away" they, along with 6 other B-17's, were attacked by an overwhelming number of German fighter aircraft. B-17G #44-6174, along with other B-17's, were shot down and crashed near Memmingen. He was originally interred overseas and is now buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. His name is listed on a group headstone because his remains are comingled with those of his crewmates.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com