William Jared Fleming was born on June 17, 1922, in Scranton, Osage County, Kansas. He was the son of Esther Patton Bunten Saylor. He served in the 700th Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-24 #42-95128 nicknamed 'Bonnie Vee' during World War II.
On September 27, 1944, Bonnie Vee took part in the 445th Bombardment Group’s mission from RAF Tibenham, England, targeting the Henschel industrial works at Kassel, Germany. Due to navigational error under heavy cloud cover, the 445th strayed from the main bomber stream and lost its fighter escort, bombing near Göttingen instead of the intended target. Isolated from the larger formation, the group was attacked by a large force of German fighters, including heavily armed Fw 190s. During the intense engagement, Bonnie Vee was shot down near Richelsdorf, Germany.
SSgt Fleming was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Département de la Moselle, Lorraine, France. He also has a cenotaph in the Scranton Cemetery, Scranton, Osage County, Kansas, USA.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.445bg.org, https://www.bonnievee.com
PRIVATE CITIZENS SUPPORTING AMERICA'S HERITAGE
American
War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
War Memorials Overseas, Inc.
Fleming William Jared
Name:
William Jared Fleming
Rank:
Staff Sergeant
Serial Number:
37527992
Unit:
700th Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group, Heavy
Date of Death:
1944-09-27
State:
Kansas
Cemetery:
Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-Avold, Département de la Moselle, Lorraine, France
Plot:
E
Row:
14
Grave:
36
Decoration:
Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart
Comments: