William served as a Aviation Radioman 1st Class, Squadron - VP-22, PB4Y-1 Liberator, U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in New Haven County, Connecticut prior to the war.
William enlisted in the Navy on October 25, 1940 in South Meriden, Connecticut.
On July 6, 1943, at 4:30am, William and the crew of 10 flew out on a PB4Y-1 Liberator from Carney Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, headed for Kapingamarangi, 700 miles away.
Once they arrived they encountered Japanese resistance, but they were nevertheless able to destroy or seriously degrade the enemy's installations in 6 attacks, not only at Kapingamarangi, but also nearby islands.
At some point the plane crashed into the Kapingamarangi Lagoon, near the beach area it was attacking. It is thought the plane was likely caught by its own bomb blast or anti-aircraft fire.
When the Liberator failed to return, the entire crew was declared MIA. Post war, the remains of all 11 aboard were eventually recovered from the lagoon at Kapingamarangi Atoll and buried stateside.
William was "Killed In Action" during the war.
He was awarded the " Distinquished Flying Cross " and the Purple Heart.
Service # 4038363
The pilot of the PBY he was on was CDR Bruce Avery Van Voorhis who was awarded the " Medal Of Honor " for this mission.
Son of Steven W. Bartek who resided in Wallingford, Connecticut.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
He resided in New Haven County, Connecticut prior to the war.
William enlisted in the Navy on October 25, 1940 in South Meriden, Connecticut.
On July 6, 1943, at 4:30am, William and the crew of 10 flew out on a PB4Y-1 Liberator from Carney Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, headed for Kapingamarangi, 700 miles away.
Once they arrived they encountered Japanese resistance, but they were nevertheless able to destroy or seriously degrade the enemy's installations in 6 attacks, not only at Kapingamarangi, but also nearby islands.
At some point the plane crashed into the Kapingamarangi Lagoon, near the beach area it was attacking. It is thought the plane was likely caught by its own bomb blast or anti-aircraft fire.
When the Liberator failed to return, the entire crew was declared MIA. Post war, the remains of all 11 aboard were eventually recovered from the lagoon at Kapingamarangi Atoll and buried stateside.
William was "Killed In Action" during the war.
He was awarded the " Distinquished Flying Cross " and the Purple Heart.
Service # 4038363
The pilot of the PBY he was on was CDR Bruce Avery Van Voorhis who was awarded the " Medal Of Honor " for this mission.
Son of Steven W. Bartek who resided in Wallingford, Connecticut.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
William served as a Aviation Radioman 1st Class, Squadron - VP-22, PB4Y-1 Liberator, U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in New Haven County, Connecticut prior to the war.
William enlisted in the Navy on October 25, 1940 in South Meriden, Connecticut.
On July 6, 1943, at 4:30am, William and the crew of 10 flew out on a PB4Y-1 Liberator from Carney Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, headed for Kapingamarangi, 700 miles away.
Once they arrived they encountered Japanese resistance, but they were nevertheless able to destroy or seriously degrade the enemy's installations in 6 attacks, not only at Kapingamarangi, but also nearby islands.
At some point the plane crashed into the Kapingamarangi Lagoon, near the beach area it was attacking. It is thought the plane was likely caught by its own bomb blast or anti-aircraft fire.
When the Liberator failed to return, the entire crew was declared MIA. Post war, the remains of all 11 aboard were eventually recovered from the lagoon at Kapingamarangi Atoll and buried stateside.
William was "Killed In Action" during the war.
He was awarded the " Distinquished Flying Cross " and the Purple Heart.
Service # 4038363
The pilot of the PBY he was on was CDR Bruce Avery Van Voorhis who was awarded the " Medal Of Honor " for this mission.
Son of Steven W. Bartek who resided in Wallingford, Connecticut.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
He resided in New Haven County, Connecticut prior to the war.
William enlisted in the Navy on October 25, 1940 in South Meriden, Connecticut.
On July 6, 1943, at 4:30am, William and the crew of 10 flew out on a PB4Y-1 Liberator from Carney Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, headed for Kapingamarangi, 700 miles away.
Once they arrived they encountered Japanese resistance, but they were nevertheless able to destroy or seriously degrade the enemy's installations in 6 attacks, not only at Kapingamarangi, but also nearby islands.
At some point the plane crashed into the Kapingamarangi Lagoon, near the beach area it was attacking. It is thought the plane was likely caught by its own bomb blast or anti-aircraft fire.
When the Liberator failed to return, the entire crew was declared MIA. Post war, the remains of all 11 aboard were eventually recovered from the lagoon at Kapingamarangi Atoll and buried stateside.
William was "Killed In Action" during the war.
He was awarded the " Distinquished Flying Cross " and the Purple Heart.
Service # 4038363
The pilot of the PBY he was on was CDR Bruce Avery Van Voorhis who was awarded the " Medal Of Honor " for this mission.
Son of Steven W. Bartek who resided in Wallingford, Connecticut.
( Bio by: Russ Pickett )
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