Staff Sergeant William Minnis Land

Flying his 46th mission on July 22, 1944 as radio operator and waist gunner, 19 year old SSgt. Billie Land was mortally wounded by flak while attacking the Ploesti Romano Americana Oil Refinery (German fuel source). Billie's B-24 was assigned to the 15th AAF/47th BW/449th BG/717th BS flying out of Grottaglie Airfield, Italy. During mission 102 the flak was especially heavy with severe damage to the plane, wounding numerous crew members of Billie's plane. The aircraft returned to base with a shot up tail and leaking hydraulics, making a dramatic landing from which the crew survived. Billie lived two days before sucoming to his wounds. Billie was initially buried in a national cemetery located in Italy, but by the family's request was returned to the USA where he lies next to my grandparents. Yes, Billie was the uncle I never met, brother to my mother that watched over his younger sister. Gone but not forgotten, thanks to your online memorial. May all Americans take the time on Memorial Day to remember those that sacrificed for our freedom.