Burns William M.

Name:

William M. Burns

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Serial Number:

39709432

Unit:

861st Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomb Group

Date of Death:

1944-11-25

State:

California

Cemetery:

Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint-Avold, France

Plot:

E

Row:

33

Grave:

23

Decoration:

Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Comments:

William M. Burns entered military service in California. He served in the 861st Bomber Squadron, 493rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner on the B-17G #43-38232 'Proud Pappy' during World War II. He was Killed in Action when his B-17 was shot down over Germany on November 25, 1944. The flight began smoothly, but the weather was bad over the target, and the flak was heavy. Proud Pappy was hit and exploded over Muschwitz, which is about 30 km southeast of Merseburg. Seven crew members were killed, and two others were taken as prisoners.

SSgt Burns is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint-Avold, France.

The crew that day were John Miller, Chas Steindorf, Dan Zimmerman, Bob Karlson, Luther Hackman, Bill Ford, Bill Burns (7 Killed in Action); Jose Gonzales, Harry Kellermeyer (2 Prisoner of War).

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