William H. Merriam joined the Army Air Corps in 1939 and trained as a fighter pilot. He was sent to England to observe how the RAF flew and fought against the German Luftwaffe. On his return to the USA he trained American pilots before once again returning to England to fly fighter aircraft.
On the 3rd June 1944 he was leading a fighter squadron to strafe German installations and supply trains in France prior to the DDay landings.
The Thunderbolt aircraft he was flying attacked a flak battery on the banks of the River Oise at Saint Leu D'Esserent. His aircraft was hit and he crashed into the nearby hillside.
Lt Col. Merriam was originally buried in the local churchyard where many locals defied the curfew to lay flowers on his grave.
He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On the 3rd June 1944 he was leading a fighter squadron to strafe German installations and supply trains in France prior to the DDay landings.
The Thunderbolt aircraft he was flying attacked a flak battery on the banks of the River Oise at Saint Leu D'Esserent. His aircraft was hit and he crashed into the nearby hillside.
Lt Col. Merriam was originally buried in the local churchyard where many locals defied the curfew to lay flowers on his grave.
He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
William H. Merriam joined the Army Air Corps in 1939 and trained as a fighter pilot. He was sent to England to observe how the RAF flew and fought against the German Luftwaffe. On his return to the USA he trained American pilots before once again returning to England to fly fighter aircraft.
On the 3rd June 1944 he was leading a fighter squadron to strafe German installations and supply trains in France prior to the DDay landings.
The Thunderbolt aircraft he was flying attacked a flak battery on the banks of the River Oise at Saint Leu D'Esserent. His aircraft was hit and he crashed into the nearby hillside.
Lt Col. Merriam was originally buried in the local churchyard where many locals defied the curfew to lay flowers on his grave.
He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
On the 3rd June 1944 he was leading a fighter squadron to strafe German installations and supply trains in France prior to the DDay landings.
The Thunderbolt aircraft he was flying attacked a flak battery on the banks of the River Oise at Saint Leu D'Esserent. His aircraft was hit and he crashed into the nearby hillside.
Lt Col. Merriam was originally buried in the local churchyard where many locals defied the curfew to lay flowers on his grave.
He was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from California.
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