William Granville Hargis was born in Florida, the son of Benjamin Franklin Hargis and Beulah Daisy Lee. He died at age 26.
Pilot of aircraft P-51D-20 with serial number 44-63624.
Buried Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium, A, 35, 21.
Statement from Clarence G. Koerber 2nd Lt, Air Corps:
On the 23rd of February 1945 the Squadron was on armed Rec. Mission. I was flying as Captain Hargis’ wingman until the time he crashed. We were strafing in the vicinity north of Frankfurt. Captain Hargis called in a train wich was located off our left wing. The engine had steam up. Capt Hargis and myself turned and started down on the train. We were on the deck, just as we pulled over the train we encountered intense 20mm, flak from the nearby woods and I saw a fire flash in his plane. The plane went directly into the woods which were approximately 150 feet from the train. There was a terrific explosion as the plane hit the trees. I pulled up and tried to get a fix, but Rip. #5 was unable to give our definite position. The approximate location of the crash is coordinate M 3588.
Another eye witness report from Jurgen Radu, Germany (his uncle was an eye witness during the crash) tells us that according to locals, Captain Hargis body was hanging in a tree after the crash. They say he has been buried in Rohnstadt, but it seems the grave has never been there. Jurgen’s uncle was 12 years old and was sitting nearby the 3 flak cannons which were shooting at the Hargis plane. 2 were standing near the woods and the 3rd one was on a train standing in Weilmunster, and that was the one which gave the final hit to the plane.
Hello everyone,
I just want to inform you that Captain Hargis is not forgotten in Rohnstadt, Germany, the place where he died. Find enclosed the small card in our in our local home and history society in Rohnstadt where is written:
“His P51 Mustang bomber was shot down by anti-aircraft guns near Audenschmiede and crashed in a field near Rohnstadt. He was initially buried in Rohnstadt, later exhumed by the Americans and brought to the USA.”
Best regards,
Christian Ditscher
- Rank: Captain
- Date of birth: 6 December 1919
- Date of death: 23 February 1945
- County: Bradley
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 354th Fighter Group, 355th Fighter Squadron
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Air War in Europe
- Awards: Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré (Neuville-en-Condroz), Belgium
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor William G. Hargis
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