William David Lee
Born 23 April 1924
Died non Battle 17 June 1945 at Harrington, England
Buried at New Friendship Cemetery, Cleveland, TN
First Lieutenant
492nd Bomber Group, 858th Bomber Squadron, Heavy
The B24 that crashed at Walgrave on the 17th June 1945 was from the 858th Bomb Squadron of the 492nd Bombardment Group based at Harrington and was piloted by 2nd Lt. Francis Sidorek.
It is believed that the plane went into a flat spin and hit the ground following an engine failure.
The plane is believed to be a B24L Serial No 44-49523
Crew members
Pilot, 2nd Lt. Francis A. Sidorek
Co-Pilot, 1st Lt. George R. Villforth
Navigator, 1st Lt. William David Lee
Radio Operator, T/Sgt Sam H. Thomas
Radio Operator T/Sgt John A. Wright
Crew Chief, M/Sgt Lewis E. Hart
Photo of James Edward Thornton’s crew during WWII. 858th Bomb Group, 492nd Squadron, The Carpetbaggers. Back row from left – Francis Sidorek, Pilot; George Villforth, Co-Pilot; Lloyd Benton, Bombardier; and William Lee, Navigator. Front row from left – James E. Thornton, Martin Gun; Thomas Beverly, Jr, Sperry Gun; Sam Thomas, Radio Operator; Richard Gibson, Engineer; James Watkins, Tail Gun; and
- Rank: First Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 23 April 1924
- Date of death: 17 June 1945
- County: Bradley
- Hometown: Cleveland
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 492nd Bomber Group, 858th Bomber Squadron, Heavy
- Conflict: World War II
- Burial/Memorial Location: New Friendship Cemetery, Cleveland, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor W. David Lee
Image Gallery
Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.
