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| Sgt. Billy Elliot was the radio operator with the replacement crew on the final mission of the B-24 Delirious Dolores. The original crew is pictured in the photo above. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/142034602/solon-w-elliott http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/13468 |
Solon W. "Billy" Elliott Jr. never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on August 16, 1919 in Homerville, Georgia. His parents Solon and Lonnie were also both born in Georgia. His father worked as a steam railroad flagman and later as a railroad policeman in Florida. He died in 1941. Billy had two younger brothers. By 1940 Billy had completed four years of high school. He was living with his parents and worked as a railroad telegraph operator.
He was drafted into the army in May 1942. At some point he volunteered for the Army Air Forces. He advanced to the rank of staff sergeant and ended up with the 852nd Bombardment Squadron, 491st Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, which was equipped with B-24 Flying Fortresses. He was trained as a radio operator. The 491st BG was sent to England in May 1944. It operated out of Metfield.
On July 13, 1944 Sgt. Elliott was part of the crew on the B-24 with the nickname Delirious Dolores on a bombing mission to Saarbrucken, Germany. By the time it flew back to England it was only flying on two engines. While trying to land at a field at Morningthorpe, it clipped the top of the trees and crash landed. Five of the crew, including Sgt. Elliot were killed.
His grave is at Pine Forest Cemetery in Homerville, Georgia.
Last year on this date I profiled Harold Lambert, USS Hughes. You can read about Harold here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
Thanks Billy for giving your all for our freedom in Holland!
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