Banks William Henry

Monuments

The Rescue of 1Lt William H. Banks and 2Lt James Jim Robinson Plaque

Name:

William Henry Banks

Rank:

First Lieutenant

Serial Number:

O-748874

Unit:

429th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group

Date of Death:

1995-04-28

State:

New Jersey

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA

Plot:

Section 10

Row:

Grave:

Site 10626-WS

Decoration:

Air Medal, Purple Heart

Comments:

William Henry Banks was born on February 3, 1920, in Roselle, New Jersey. He served in the 429th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot during World War II.

On July 27, 1944, aboard P-38 Lightning #42-68056, 1Lt Banks took off from Station 454 airfield in Warmwell, England, for a patrol mission in Le Mans, France. While preparing for the attack of about fifty Bf109 and dropping bombs and belly- tank, his plane collided with P-38 #42-67688 piloted by Lt Patton (474th FG) at 5,000 feet. At 15h30, 1Lt Banks' aircraft when into a spin, but he was able to evacuate at 1500 feet before the crash. His plane crashed near the Beau Soleil farm in the commune of Ste-Suzanne.

1Lt Banks landed in the trees near Ste-Suzanne. He was sheltered in the commune for two days before he was taken over by maquis near Villemort. He was recovered by a C-47 on the night of August 9-10, 1944.

1Lt Banks died on April 28, 1995, at the age of 75. He is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA. He attained his highest rank in the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net