William Marx “Bill” Lorig was born on May 6, 1925, in Telluride, San Miguel County, Colorado. He was the son of Marx Leopold Lorig and Phillipene Ebler Lorig. He was married to Arzella Pauline "Lou" Walden Lorig. He enlisted in the service on September 1, 1943. He served in the 731st Bomber Squadron, 452nd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Master Sergeant and Radar Operator / Radar Jammer of B-17 #44-8015 known as "Johnny Reb" during World War II.

On February 22, 1945, the ''Johnny Reb'' set out on its fourth mission to bomb Ulm, Germany. Previously damaged by flak and deemed unfit for flight, it was repaired and sent on the mission. Hit by flak over Ansbach, the aircraft continued but later encountered severe turbulence and prop wash at 17,000 feet. When the pilot lowered the flaps to reduce speed, the plane broke apart mid-air. Seven crew members perished, while three survived and were taken as prisoners of war.

MSgt Lorig was captured and taken as a prisoner of war and was held in Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, Germany. He died on May 11, 1988, and is now buried in the Veterans Cemetery, Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado, USA.

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com