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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49505920/william-j_bryan-simpson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/91st_Bombardment_Group |
William was born March 24, 1919 in Fayette County, Alabama. His parents Luther and Myra were also born in Alabama. His father was a farmer. William had two older brothers, one younger brother, and one younger sister. In 1940 he had completed one year of college at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) and was living at home with his parents.
After completing his second year of college, William enlisted in the Army Air Forces on November 19, 1941 as an aviation cadet. He trained as a bombardier and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and was assigned to the 324th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, of the US Eighth Air Force.
The 91st BG (aka Wray’s Ragged Irregulars) was based at Bassingbourn, England and flew B-17F Flying Fortress heavy bombers. It was one of the first bomb groups deployed to England and began combat operations over Europe in November 1942. During the early phase of the USAAF strategic bombing campaign, bomber losses were heavy and Lt. Simpson likely joined the 91st BG as part of a replacement crew in late February 1943.
On March 4, 1943, Lt. Simpson was part of the crew aboard B-17F 42-5370 as it and 70 other B-17s from four bomb groups took off to bomb the railroad marshaling yards in the industrial city of Hamm, the first deep penetration attack by the Eighth Air Force against targets in Germany. Due to heavy cloud formations on the way to Hamm, three of the groups turned away and did not attack the primary target. The sixteen B-17s of the 91st BG flew alone to the target and accurately bombed the marshaling yards despite encountering heavy flak and fierce attacks by German fighters. Because of the determination and valor in attacking alone such a heavily defended target, the 91st BG was later awarded the first Presidential Citation to be given to a unit belonging to the Eighth Air Force.
The mission was not without cost, though, as four B-17s failed to return and practically all the other B-17s making the attack suffered major damage. On the perilous flight home after bombing the target, the bomber formation was subjected to relentless attacks from upwards of 100 German fighters. Lt. Simpson’s aircraft was shot down by a German fighter and crashed into the North Sea off the coast of Texel, Holland. Lt. Simpson and all but one of the ten-man crew were KIA, with the lone survivor becoming a prisoner of war.
William Bryon Simpson is buried in Zion Methodist Church Cemetery in Bankston, Alabama.
Thank you Lt. Simpson for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for William.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Pfc. Joy Mouser of the 9th Infantry Division. You can read about Pfc Mouser here.
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