William Ernest “Bill” McCartt died non battle
Memorialized at Manila American Cemetery, Philippines
William “Bill” Ernest McCartt, Junior was born in Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee on 3 May 1918. He graduated Science Hill High School, Class of 1936. Bill was in the Spanish Club and loved History and playing tennis. He later attended East Tennessee State College, also in Johnson City for two years prior to enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps on 14 January 1941.
Bill received his Glider Pilot training at the “Home of the Winged Commando” at South Plains Army Air Field in Lubbock, Texas. Prior to this he was a liaison pilot. Bill was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 1st Provisional Glider Group, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, 5th Air Force, United States Army Air Forces when the CG-4A Waco Glider he was piloting was lost at sea. He was conducting a training flight on 3 January 1945 near Mokmer Airfield off the coast of Biak Island, Netherlands East Indies, Papua, Indonesia, South West Pacific. Bill is listed on the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Luzon Island, Philippines.
Bill’s the son of William Ernest McCartt and Emma L. Noe. He was married to Mickie Rouse of Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee. Bill’s two younger brothers: Sherman and Jack both served in the United States Army during World War II. Sherman was in a Glider Infantry Regiment.
Submitted by Allen D. Jackson USAF (Ret.)
- Rank: Flight Officer
- Date of birth: 3 May 1918
- Date of death: 3 January 1945
- County: Washington
- Hometown: Johnson City
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 3rd Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIX, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor W. E. McCartt Jr.
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