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Service Details |
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Personal Details
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Home State
 West Virginia | |
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Year of Birth 1915 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Banks, William McGowan, Col USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Contact Info
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Home Town Raleigh, West Virginia |
Last Address San Antonio, Texas
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Date of Passing May 06, 1983 |
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Location of Interment Sunset Memorial Park - Beckley, West Virginia |
Wall/Plot Coordinates Westview I, 1-28 Section |
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Last Known Activity He shot down 9 enemy aircraft and damaged 1 in the Pacific Theater.
His Silver Star citation:
Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) William M. Banks (ASN: 0-429515), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action as Pilot of a P-47 fighter airplane of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action during an escort mission to Clark Field, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 24 December 1944. Following his plan of preceding a main body of fighters to gain information on the deployment of enemy opposition, Major Banks led an element of two of a total force of sixty-six P-47 type aircraft. On approaching the target, he climbed to attack several enemy airplanes and, concentrating his fire on one of them, sent it crashing to the ground. After apprising his formation of the strength and deployment of Japanese aircraft in the area, he joined in the ensuing battle and brought down another fighter which was trying to escape. His squadron, taking full advantage of the advance information he supplied, accounted for thirty-two of the interceptors. The outstanding leadership and gallantry displayed by Major Banks reflect the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.
General Orders: Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 333 (March 6, 1945)
Action Date: 24-Dec-44
Service: Army Air Forces
Rank: Major
Company: 342nd Fighter Squadron
Regiment: 348th Fighter Group
Division: 5th Air Force
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Other Comments: Sources:
https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=47&cat=WR26&tf=F&q=
William+M.+Banks%20&bc=sl&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=1022721&rlst=414358,415451,
448811,461990,464138,465356,466318,466524,470326,1022721
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141268915/william-m_-banks
http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=721
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/45579
http://www.cieldegloire.com/fg_348.php
https://www.ancestry.com
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1933-1936, Army National Guard (ARNG)
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1941-1941, AAF MOS 770, Aviation Cadet Flight School
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1942-1942, AAF MOS 1055, 62nd Fighter Squadron - Spikes
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1942-1942, AAF MOS 1055, 56th Fighter Group
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1942-1942, AAF MOS 1055, 90th Fighter Squadron - Pair-O-Dice
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1942-1942, AAF MOS 1055, 80th Fighter Group
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1942-1945, AAF MOS 1055, 342nd Fighter Squadron
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1942-1945, AAF MOS 1065, 348th Fighter Group
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1948-1949, AAF MOS 1065, 82nd Fighter Group
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1950-1951, AAF MOS 1065, 33rd Fighter Wing
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1951-1952, Air War College (Student)
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1952-1955, AAF MOS 2140, Headquarters Command (HQ USAF)
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1955-1958, US Embassy. Oslo, Norway
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1958-1959, 1411, Air Defense Sector - Western
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1960-1961, 1411, Air Defense Sector - Boston
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1961-1963, 6611, Air Force Material Command (AFMC)
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