Bates William D.

Monuments

Anglo-American Memorial 1939-1945 (65th Fighter Wing)

Name:

William D. Bates

Rank:

Flight Officer

Serial Number:

T-126017

Unit:

334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group

Date of Death:

1945-02-06

State:

Alabama

Cemetery:

Antioch Cemetery, Elkmont, Alabama

Plot:

Row:

Grave:

Decoration:

Purple Heart

Comments:

William D. Bates was born on March 6, 1918, in Limestone County, Alabama. He was the son of David G. Bates and Dezzie Stepp Bates. He served in the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, as a Flight Officer during World War II.

On February 6, 1945, he was forced to abort the mission due to mechanical issues and bailed out over the English Channel. Unable to get into his dinghy after several attempts, he elected to float in his Mae West and await rescue. Though located by an ASR Walrus, it was too rough for the flying boat to land. His body was later located by an ASR launch two and a half hours after landing in the Channel.

F/O Bates is now buried in the Antioch Cemetery, Elkmont, Limestone County, Alabama, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.americanairmuseum.com