Jack Edward Williams enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 23, 1941, in Fort Oglethorpe, GA
He was sent to China-Burma-India Theater in 1942. Served in the U.S. Air Force, Air Transport Command, 13th Squadron, until January 26, 1943, when he was missing in action on a return flight from Kumming, China, to his base in Sookerating, India. He was officially declared dead December 12, 1945. His body was never recovered.
He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery, Philippines
Additional information submitted by his sister, Dolores McDonald:
“He was in a C-47 transport plane which flew supplies over the Hump Himalayas to assist the Chinese. He served as a radio operator. Mainly the supplies were 55 gallon drums of oil. This was the first air-lift started during WWII. The Berlin airlift was incorporated afterwards to assist the people in East Berlin much the same way.”
-Parents: Father Frank Williams and Beatrice Carr Williams Robeson
T.L. Robeson (Stepfather)
-Siblings: Hugh Robeson, Lora Bell Robeson, Bob Robeson, Rabon Robeson, Ronald Robeson, Lucille Robeson, and Delores Robeson McDonald
-Uncle: David M. Carr
-Cousins: Dorothy Jean Carr and David M. Carr, Jr.
-Grandmother: Sallie Carr
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, February 26, 1943
Mrs. Beatice Robeson has been notified by the War Department that her son, Staff Sgt. Jack E. Williams, 23, who was reported missing in Asia on Jan. 26, is alive and is en route to his post. The Knoxville High graduate has been in service since September, 1941, and is a radio operator with the Army Air Forces Air Transport Command.
Mrs. Robeson has one other child, a 14-year-old daughter, Dolores.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, December 26, 1945
Staff Sgt. Jack E. Williams, son of Mrs. Beatrice Robenson, Valley View Road, has now been reported by the War Department as killed in action on Jan. 26, 1943. He was first reported missing on that date when the plane on which he was flying from Uynnanyi, China, to Upper Assam in India, did not reach its destination. He was a radio operator in the Air Force Ferry Squadron. A graduate of KHS, he played football there.
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 16 April 1920
- Date of death: 26 January 1943
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 13th Squadron, 1st Ferry Group
- Theater: China-Burma-India
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Jack E. Williams
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