William Jack Copeland was born in Tennessee, Son of Rose Lee Copeland and step-son of Josaih Cosby Duncan. He attended 3 years of high school and was a skilled mechanic and repairman before he entered the service on 29 September 1942 from Michigan. Sgt Copeland died non battle in England. He was a Left Waist Gunner (ASN 16110925).
The Knoxville Journal, 6 May 1944
Sgt. William (Jack) Copeland, 20, son of Mrs. Rose Copeland Duncan, wife of Joe Duncan, Maryville Pike, was killed in an airplane crash in England April 23, according to a War Department communication received yesterday by Mr. and Mrs. Duncan. Young Copeland was an engineer-gunner on a U.S. Flying Fortress and had been overseas only a month. He was a grandson of P.L. Copeland of Halls Cross Roads. After leaving Halls High School 19 months ago, Sgt. Copeland volunteered for service and was accepted one day after he reached the age of 19. He was trained for a time at a base in Florida and then was transferred to Langley Field, Va. The young man visited his mother and step-father in February.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 26 November 1923
- Date of death: 23 April 1944
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxille
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 8th Air Force, 332nd Bomber Squadron, 94th Bomber Group
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Bottom Panel
- Contact us to sponsor William J. Copeland
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