Forrester, William Ralph

Rank and Name, Aviation Ordnance man Second Class William Ralph Forrester.

Unit/Placed in, Patrol Bombing Squadron 104 (VBP-104).

William is born approx. on Nov. 20, 1922 in Riverton, Wyoming.

Father, Oscar L. Forrester.

Mother, Lela Forrester.

William enlisted the service in Wyoming with service number # 5530437.

William‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a PB4Y-2 were,

Ens. James M. Wimberly Co Pilot

Arm1. Erwin J. Anderson Radio Operator

Amm3. James Diachin Tailgunner

Aom2. William Forrest Bow Turret

Lt. Maurice Hill Pilot

Aom1. Thomas E. McKenzie Bombardier

Amm3. Kenneth A. Waddle Bell Gunner

Crewmembers, ARM3c Dow H. Gothard, AOM3c John L. Nason, ENS Frederick W. Pratt and AMM1c Charles D. Vey were rescued.

William was KIA when they were attacked by 2 Japanese K61 “Tony’s” on Aug. 11, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

William Is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

Thanks to,

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,