Sergeant William Milliken, Army serial number 33434576, was born at Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York on October 7, 1912, and later resided in Erie County, Pennsylvania. His parents were William J. Milliken (23 Feb 1890 – 31 Dec 1955) and Bessie E. (Smith) Milliken (8 Jan 1893 – Apr 1985), who were born in New York. His parents married at Olean, New York on November 20, 1911. He had a brother, Thomas Leonard Milliken (1914 – 1987). His father was a railroad switchman and later an inspector of electrical and refrigeration equipment.
In 1940 he lived with his parents on Norcross Road in Belle Valley, Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania. This was his home of record. He completed one year of college and worked as a laborer at a refrigeration plant. He was single when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Erie, Pennsylvania on March 10, 1943. He entered active duty on March 17, 1943.
During World War II he served as a ground crewman in the 839th Bomb Squadron, 487th Bomb Group, at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England. His unit was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. On July 20, 1944 he rode as a passenger with the crew of Lt David L. Ozbolt aboard B-24H 42-51197 during a practice bombing mission near Lavenham. After dropping practice bombs at Ducks Hall bombing range, the aircraft collided with another 487th Bomb Group aircraft, B-17G 43-37840. The B-24 spun in and crashed near Cavendish, England. Sgt Milliken and four other men aboard the B-24 were killed in the crash. Here is Lt Ozbolt's crew roster on July 20, 1944:
B-24H 42-51197 – 839th Bomb Squadron
• Ozbolt, David L – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Carter, Delmar J – 2/Lt – Copilot – Safe
• King, Donald C – 1/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Lassandro, James L – 1/Lt – Bombardier – Safe
• Everett, Lloyd E – S/Sgt – Engineer – Safe (killed in action on August 25, 1944)
• Savoy, John B – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Baker, Robert S – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Sherman, William L – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Milliken, William – Sgt – Passenger – KIA
The pilot of the B-17, Lt Stults, his left wing on fire, attempted to reach Lavenham Airfield but crashed in a wheat field near the base Officers Club. Five men aboard the B-17 perished. Here is Lt Stults' crew roster on July 20, 1944:
B-17G 43-37840 – 836th Bomb Squadron
• Stults, Paul M – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Thomas Jr, Eldridge W – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Parris, Howard L – Lt – Navigator – Safe
• Heil, Charles A – 2/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Walters, Lester R – 1/Lt – Bombardier – KIA
• Brown, Melvin R – T/Sgt – Engineer – Safe
• Schaffer, Charles L – Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Knight, Frank M – Sgt – Gunner – Safe
• Brown, Julius E – Sgt – Gunner – Safe
• Castillo, Pete J – T/Sgt – Autopilot Mechanic – KIA
• Grantham, Russell A – Lt – Squadron Bombardier – Safe
Sgt Milliken was buried initially at Cambridge American Cemetery near Madingley, England. His remains were returned to the United States and interred at Calvary Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania on August 18, 1948. He is buried in Section 9, Lot 686 (east half), Grave 5.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 1920 US Census; Pennsylvania; Mercer County; Greenville. Milliken, William J. 12 Jan 1920 (his father)
3. 1930 US Census; Pennsylvania; Erie County; Millcreek Township. Milliken, William J. 3 Apr 1930 (his father)
4. 1940 US Census; Pennsylvania; Erie County; Millcreek Township; Belle Valley; Norcross Road. Milliken, William J. 26 Apr 1940 (his father)
5. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Application for World War II Compensation. 21 Jun 1950 (submitted by the parents of William Milliken, serial number 33434576, killed in action 20 Jul 1944)
6. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Record of Burial Place of Veteran William Milliken, serial number 33434576; buried at Calvary Cemetery, Erie, PA; Section 9, east half of Lot 686, Grave 5
7. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
8. Enlistment Record of William Milliken
9. Headquarters, AAF Station #137, APO 559 [487BG]. CASUALTIES. July 1944 (20 July 1944: Sgt William (NMI) Milliken, Killed in accident)
10. New York, County Marriages, 1908–1936: William J. Milliken, born 23 Feb 1890, and Bessie Smith, born 8 Jan 1893, married at Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York on 20 Nov 1911. (his parents)
11. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
12. World War II Aircraft Crashes in the Cavendish Area. The Lavenham B-24, July 20th 1944 (shows a photo of crashed B-24H 42-51197, and lists all ten men who were killed in both the B-24 and the B-17)
Research by:
Paul Webber
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
In 1940 he lived with his parents on Norcross Road in Belle Valley, Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania. This was his home of record. He completed one year of college and worked as a laborer at a refrigeration plant. He was single when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Erie, Pennsylvania on March 10, 1943. He entered active duty on March 17, 1943.
During World War II he served as a ground crewman in the 839th Bomb Squadron, 487th Bomb Group, at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England. His unit was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. On July 20, 1944 he rode as a passenger with the crew of Lt David L. Ozbolt aboard B-24H 42-51197 during a practice bombing mission near Lavenham. After dropping practice bombs at Ducks Hall bombing range, the aircraft collided with another 487th Bomb Group aircraft, B-17G 43-37840. The B-24 spun in and crashed near Cavendish, England. Sgt Milliken and four other men aboard the B-24 were killed in the crash. Here is Lt Ozbolt's crew roster on July 20, 1944:
B-24H 42-51197 – 839th Bomb Squadron
• Ozbolt, David L – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Carter, Delmar J – 2/Lt – Copilot – Safe
• King, Donald C – 1/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Lassandro, James L – 1/Lt – Bombardier – Safe
• Everett, Lloyd E – S/Sgt – Engineer – Safe (killed in action on August 25, 1944)
• Savoy, John B – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Baker, Robert S – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Sherman, William L – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Milliken, William – Sgt – Passenger – KIA
The pilot of the B-17, Lt Stults, his left wing on fire, attempted to reach Lavenham Airfield but crashed in a wheat field near the base Officers Club. Five men aboard the B-17 perished. Here is Lt Stults' crew roster on July 20, 1944:
B-17G 43-37840 – 836th Bomb Squadron
• Stults, Paul M – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Thomas Jr, Eldridge W – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Parris, Howard L – Lt – Navigator – Safe
• Heil, Charles A – 2/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Walters, Lester R – 1/Lt – Bombardier – KIA
• Brown, Melvin R – T/Sgt – Engineer – Safe
• Schaffer, Charles L – Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Knight, Frank M – Sgt – Gunner – Safe
• Brown, Julius E – Sgt – Gunner – Safe
• Castillo, Pete J – T/Sgt – Autopilot Mechanic – KIA
• Grantham, Russell A – Lt – Squadron Bombardier – Safe
Sgt Milliken was buried initially at Cambridge American Cemetery near Madingley, England. His remains were returned to the United States and interred at Calvary Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania on August 18, 1948. He is buried in Section 9, Lot 686 (east half), Grave 5.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 1920 US Census; Pennsylvania; Mercer County; Greenville. Milliken, William J. 12 Jan 1920 (his father)
3. 1930 US Census; Pennsylvania; Erie County; Millcreek Township. Milliken, William J. 3 Apr 1930 (his father)
4. 1940 US Census; Pennsylvania; Erie County; Millcreek Township; Belle Valley; Norcross Road. Milliken, William J. 26 Apr 1940 (his father)
5. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Application for World War II Compensation. 21 Jun 1950 (submitted by the parents of William Milliken, serial number 33434576, killed in action 20 Jul 1944)
6. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Record of Burial Place of Veteran William Milliken, serial number 33434576; buried at Calvary Cemetery, Erie, PA; Section 9, east half of Lot 686, Grave 5
7. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
8. Enlistment Record of William Milliken
9. Headquarters, AAF Station #137, APO 559 [487BG]. CASUALTIES. July 1944 (20 July 1944: Sgt William (NMI) Milliken, Killed in accident)
10. New York, County Marriages, 1908–1936: William J. Milliken, born 23 Feb 1890, and Bessie Smith, born 8 Jan 1893, married at Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York on 20 Nov 1911. (his parents)
11. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
12. World War II Aircraft Crashes in the Cavendish Area. The Lavenham B-24, July 20th 1944 (shows a photo of crashed B-24H 42-51197, and lists all ten men who were killed in both the B-24 and the B-17)
Research by:
Paul Webber
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
Sergeant William Milliken, Army serial number 33434576, was born at Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York on October 7, 1912, and later resided in Erie County, Pennsylvania. His parents were William J. Milliken (23 Feb 1890 – 31 Dec 1955) and Bessie E. (Smith) Milliken (8 Jan 1893 – Apr 1985), who were born in New York. His parents married at Olean, New York on November 20, 1911. He had a brother, Thomas Leonard Milliken (1914 – 1987). His father was a railroad switchman and later an inspector of electrical and refrigeration equipment.
In 1940 he lived with his parents on Norcross Road in Belle Valley, Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania. This was his home of record. He completed one year of college and worked as a laborer at a refrigeration plant. He was single when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Erie, Pennsylvania on March 10, 1943. He entered active duty on March 17, 1943.
During World War II he served as a ground crewman in the 839th Bomb Squadron, 487th Bomb Group, at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England. His unit was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. On July 20, 1944 he rode as a passenger with the crew of Lt David L. Ozbolt aboard B-24H 42-51197 during a practice bombing mission near Lavenham. After dropping practice bombs at Ducks Hall bombing range, the aircraft collided with another 487th Bomb Group aircraft, B-17G 43-37840. The B-24 spun in and crashed near Cavendish, England. Sgt Milliken and four other men aboard the B-24 were killed in the crash. Here is Lt Ozbolt's crew roster on July 20, 1944:
B-24H 42-51197 – 839th Bomb Squadron
• Ozbolt, David L – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Carter, Delmar J – 2/Lt – Copilot – Safe
• King, Donald C – 1/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Lassandro, James L – 1/Lt – Bombardier – Safe
• Everett, Lloyd E – S/Sgt – Engineer – Safe (killed in action on August 25, 1944)
• Savoy, John B – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Baker, Robert S – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Sherman, William L – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Milliken, William – Sgt – Passenger – KIA
The pilot of the B-17, Lt Stults, his left wing on fire, attempted to reach Lavenham Airfield but crashed in a wheat field near the base Officers Club. Five men aboard the B-17 perished. Here is Lt Stults' crew roster on July 20, 1944:
B-17G 43-37840 – 836th Bomb Squadron
• Stults, Paul M – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Thomas Jr, Eldridge W – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Parris, Howard L – Lt – Navigator – Safe
• Heil, Charles A – 2/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Walters, Lester R – 1/Lt – Bombardier – KIA
• Brown, Melvin R – T/Sgt – Engineer – Safe
• Schaffer, Charles L – Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Knight, Frank M – Sgt – Gunner – Safe
• Brown, Julius E – Sgt – Gunner – Safe
• Castillo, Pete J – T/Sgt – Autopilot Mechanic – KIA
• Grantham, Russell A – Lt – Squadron Bombardier – Safe
Sgt Milliken was buried initially at Cambridge American Cemetery near Madingley, England. His remains were returned to the United States and interred at Calvary Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania on August 18, 1948. He is buried in Section 9, Lot 686 (east half), Grave 5.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 1920 US Census; Pennsylvania; Mercer County; Greenville. Milliken, William J. 12 Jan 1920 (his father)
3. 1930 US Census; Pennsylvania; Erie County; Millcreek Township. Milliken, William J. 3 Apr 1930 (his father)
4. 1940 US Census; Pennsylvania; Erie County; Millcreek Township; Belle Valley; Norcross Road. Milliken, William J. 26 Apr 1940 (his father)
5. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Application for World War II Compensation. 21 Jun 1950 (submitted by the parents of William Milliken, serial number 33434576, killed in action 20 Jul 1944)
6. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Record of Burial Place of Veteran William Milliken, serial number 33434576; buried at Calvary Cemetery, Erie, PA; Section 9, east half of Lot 686, Grave 5
7. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
8. Enlistment Record of William Milliken
9. Headquarters, AAF Station #137, APO 559 [487BG]. CASUALTIES. July 1944 (20 July 1944: Sgt William (NMI) Milliken, Killed in accident)
10. New York, County Marriages, 1908–1936: William J. Milliken, born 23 Feb 1890, and Bessie Smith, born 8 Jan 1893, married at Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York on 20 Nov 1911. (his parents)
11. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
12. World War II Aircraft Crashes in the Cavendish Area. The Lavenham B-24, July 20th 1944 (shows a photo of crashed B-24H 42-51197, and lists all ten men who were killed in both the B-24 and the B-17)
Research by:
Paul Webber
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
In 1940 he lived with his parents on Norcross Road in Belle Valley, Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania. This was his home of record. He completed one year of college and worked as a laborer at a refrigeration plant. He was single when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Erie, Pennsylvania on March 10, 1943. He entered active duty on March 17, 1943.
During World War II he served as a ground crewman in the 839th Bomb Squadron, 487th Bomb Group, at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England. His unit was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. On July 20, 1944 he rode as a passenger with the crew of Lt David L. Ozbolt aboard B-24H 42-51197 during a practice bombing mission near Lavenham. After dropping practice bombs at Ducks Hall bombing range, the aircraft collided with another 487th Bomb Group aircraft, B-17G 43-37840. The B-24 spun in and crashed near Cavendish, England. Sgt Milliken and four other men aboard the B-24 were killed in the crash. Here is Lt Ozbolt's crew roster on July 20, 1944:
B-24H 42-51197 – 839th Bomb Squadron
• Ozbolt, David L – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Carter, Delmar J – 2/Lt – Copilot – Safe
• King, Donald C – 1/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Lassandro, James L – 1/Lt – Bombardier – Safe
• Everett, Lloyd E – S/Sgt – Engineer – Safe (killed in action on August 25, 1944)
• Savoy, John B – T/Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Baker, Robert S – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Sherman, William L – S/Sgt – Gunner – KIA
• Milliken, William – Sgt – Passenger – KIA
The pilot of the B-17, Lt Stults, his left wing on fire, attempted to reach Lavenham Airfield but crashed in a wheat field near the base Officers Club. Five men aboard the B-17 perished. Here is Lt Stults' crew roster on July 20, 1944:
B-17G 43-37840 – 836th Bomb Squadron
• Stults, Paul M – 1/Lt – Pilot – KIA
• Thomas Jr, Eldridge W – 2/Lt – Copilot – KIA
• Parris, Howard L – Lt – Navigator – Safe
• Heil, Charles A – 2/Lt – Navigator – KIA
• Walters, Lester R – 1/Lt – Bombardier – KIA
• Brown, Melvin R – T/Sgt – Engineer – Safe
• Schaffer, Charles L – Sgt – Radio Operator – Safe
• Knight, Frank M – Sgt – Gunner – Safe
• Brown, Julius E – Sgt – Gunner – Safe
• Castillo, Pete J – T/Sgt – Autopilot Mechanic – KIA
• Grantham, Russell A – Lt – Squadron Bombardier – Safe
Sgt Milliken was buried initially at Cambridge American Cemetery near Madingley, England. His remains were returned to the United States and interred at Calvary Cemetery, Erie, Pennsylvania on August 18, 1948. He is buried in Section 9, Lot 686 (east half), Grave 5.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 1920 US Census; Pennsylvania; Mercer County; Greenville. Milliken, William J. 12 Jan 1920 (his father)
3. 1930 US Census; Pennsylvania; Erie County; Millcreek Township. Milliken, William J. 3 Apr 1930 (his father)
4. 1940 US Census; Pennsylvania; Erie County; Millcreek Township; Belle Valley; Norcross Road. Milliken, William J. 26 Apr 1940 (his father)
5. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Application for World War II Compensation. 21 Jun 1950 (submitted by the parents of William Milliken, serial number 33434576, killed in action 20 Jul 1944)
6. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Record of Burial Place of Veteran William Milliken, serial number 33434576; buried at Calvary Cemetery, Erie, PA; Section 9, east half of Lot 686, Grave 5
7. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
8. Enlistment Record of William Milliken
9. Headquarters, AAF Station #137, APO 559 [487BG]. CASUALTIES. July 1944 (20 July 1944: Sgt William (NMI) Milliken, Killed in accident)
10. New York, County Marriages, 1908–1936: William J. Milliken, born 23 Feb 1890, and Bessie Smith, born 8 Jan 1893, married at Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York on 20 Nov 1911. (his parents)
11. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
12. World War II Aircraft Crashes in the Cavendish Area. The Lavenham B-24, July 20th 1944 (shows a photo of crashed B-24H 42-51197, and lists all ten men who were killed in both the B-24 and the B-17)
Research by:
Paul Webber
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
Inscription
WILLIAM MILLIKEN
SGT. • 487th GRP. • U.S.A.A.F.
1912 — 1944
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