This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Banks, William McGowan, Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Raleigh, West Virginia
Last Address San Antonio, Texas
Date of Passing May 06, 1983
Location of Interment Sunset Memorial Park - Beckley, West Virginia
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)
WWII - Pacific Theater of Operations/Central Pacific Campaign (1941-43)
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
December / 1943
Description (Central Pacific Campaign 7 December 1941 to 6 December 1943) The war in the Central Pacific began with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Six months later an AAF task force took part in the Battle of Midway, in which a great Japanese fleet was defeated. But another year and a half elapsed before American forces began an offensive against Japanese positions in the Central Pacific. It was then, on 20 November 1943, that landings were made in the Gilberts, on Makin and Tarawa, with the Marines at the latter place becoming engaged in one of the bloodiest battles of the war.