Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home State
 Alabama | |
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Year of Birth 1918 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Bates, William David, FltOff.
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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Casualty Info
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Home Town Elkmont/Cullman, Alabama |
Last Address RAF Debden (USAAF 156), Essex, England
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Casualty Date Feb 06, 1945 |
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Cause Non Hostile- Died Other Causes |
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea |
Location English Channel |
Conflict World War II |
Location of Interment Antioch Cemetery - Elkmont, Alabama |
Wall/Plot Coordinates Not Specified |
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Last Known Activity He was forced to abort from a combat mission due to mechanical problems. He bailed out into the Channel but could not get into his dinghy and rough weather prevented a flying boat from landing. By the time a rescue launch got to him, he was dead.
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Comments/Citation
Sources:
Enlistment record
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=22955652
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/334_bateswdweb_a.pdf
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/227858
https://www.ancestry.com
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