William Olfenius was born on February 7, 1925, in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. He was the son of Helen (Smith) Olfenius. He enlisted in the service on March 20, 1943. He served in the 775th Bomb Squadron, 463rd Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17 #42-31685 nicknamed 'Pete's Playhouse' during World War II.

On May 10, 1944, the “Pete’s Playhouse” took part in a bombing mission against the important German industrial target at Wiener Neustadt, Austria. As part of the 15th Air Force operating from Italy, the aircraft and its crew flew deep into heavily defended enemy territory, where intense anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition were common. During the mission, the bomber was hit by German flak, severely damaging the aircraft. Unable to maintain formation or safely return to base, the crew was forced to abandon the aircraft or attempt to control it as it descended. The B-17 ultimately crashed near Vöstenhof, southwest of Wiener Neustadt. Of the ten-man crew, five were killed in action, while five managed to survive and were captured, becoming prisoners of war.

SSgt Olfenius was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, americanarchive.iwm.org.uk, weremember.abmc.gov