William Hinton Lowery was born at Hot Springs, Arkansas , the son of William David Lowery and Camille Elizabeth Picchi. Brother of Mary Elizabeth Lowery and Jack Mathew Lowery. He received his commission upon graduating from the United States Army Air Force Navigation School at Selman Field, La. He was a graduate of Central High School and the University of Chattanooga, and before joining the air corps was employed by the TVA.
Second Lieutenant Lowery is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England, C, 6, 79.
Aircraft B-24H with serial number 41-28590 was on a bombing mission to Hardwick. This aircraft collided with another aircraft in mid-air over Halesworth Station, about five miles south east of the base.
Statement from Sgt James E. Scanlon:
I was seated in the rear of ship 590/J by the camera hatch with a back type parachute on and fully harnessed. The ship was flying smoothly. The pilot had just called that we were at 14,000 feet. A few moments later the crash occurred. In a haze I saw the ship separate at the rear of the bomb bay. At the same time I heard an explosion and saw a pink coloring at the opening. I stooped and was thrown down. I crawled toward the open end of the tail where my left arm became entangled in something, leaving me half in and half out of the ship. There was a sudden jerk and I was thrown clear.
I pulled the rip cord without thinking. The other ship (033) was in a flat spin. This ship was still intact. I did not see our ship after leaving it. I floated through two layers of clouds, and thinking I might land in water I threw everything away except my fur boots. I landed in mud in a small island in the broads near Southwald.
Sgt Blood and Sgt Scanlon were the only survivors.
Crew members
Pilot, 2nd Lt Robert L. McFetrich
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Harry Cassel Jr.
Navigator, 2nd Lt William H. Lowery
Engineer, S/Sgt Clifford E. White
Radio Operator, S/Sgt Carl J. Mead
Right Waist Gunner, Sgt Orland J. Watson
Left Waist Gunner, Sgt William R. Bloom
Ball Gunner, Sgt Albert A. Blood
Top Turret Gunner, Sgt James E. Scanlon
I visited the American Cemetery in Cambridge, UK on Sunday 26th May 2024. It is a beautiful and moving place, I took a few images and have researched the names of the men that are buried here. Your site has given an amazing insight into what happened to William Lowery, a tragic accident for two bomber crews doing their duty.–Submitted by Steve Gardens
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 10 January 1917
- Date of death: 29 March 1944
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 328th Bomber Squadron, 93rd Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Air War in Europe
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XI, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor William H. Lowery
Image Gallery
Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.
