Sgt William D. Lewis
U.S. Army Air Force, 19th Bombardment Group, 30th Bombardment Squadron
Radio B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 Missing In Action (MIA) September 15, 1942

Background
William Davis Lewis was born October 18, 1920 to parents John R. Lewis and Maude Lewis in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated Manual High School.

Wartime History
Enlisted in the in U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) as an aviation cadet with serial number 6914241. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). On January 4, 1942 departs overseas bound for Australia. Assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 30th Bombardment Squadron (30th BS) as a radio operator aboard B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.

On August 12, 1942 Wilson flew aboard a B-17 on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. The formation of eight B-17s was attacked by Zero fighters before, during and after the bomb run. Gunners aboard the B-17s claimed three shot down and claimed to sink or badly damage four ships. For his actions on the mission, Wilson earned the Silver Star, bestowed by General George C. Kenney.

Mission History
On September 15, 1942 at 5:30pm took off as radio operator aboard B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24427 on a night mission against Rabaul. After take off, no further contact was made with this bomber. On September 16, 1942 at 1:30am, when bomber failed to return, it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Wilson was was officially declared dead on January 7, 1946. He earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. On June 29, 2001 he had a memorial marker added in Arlington National Cemetery in section MJ site 84.

Relatives
John Reese Lewis (father died 1951)
Claudia Alice “Claude” Bell Lewis (mother died 1981)

References
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William D. Lewis
DPAA Personnel File - William D. Lewis
FindAGrave - Sgt William Davis “Dave” Lewis (tablets of the missing)

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