William M. Bower

This week’s Veterans Spotlight shines on William M. Bower was born in February 1917 in Ravenna, Ohio. He completed his education at Ravenna High School in 1934 and joined the Ohio National Guard in October 1936, two years after graduating. Before his enlistment, he studied at Hiram College and Kent State University. In the National Guard, he served with the 107th Cavalry until his honorable discharge in 1938.

In February 1940, despite his prior service, Bower enlisted in the Army Air Forces, where he entered the Aviation Cadet Program, was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant, and earned his pilot wings in October of the same year. He served with the 17th and 37th Bomb Squadrons in Washington before volunteering for World War II in 1942. On April 18, 1942, Bower piloted the 12th B-25 from the USS Hornet (CV-8), targeting Yokohama, Japan. After running out of fuel, he and his crew bailed out over China and returned to the U.S. in June 1942, quickly redeploying to England in July. For his bravery during the Doolittle Raid, Lt. Bower received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Following his service in England, Bower was deployed to Africa and Italy, where he became commander of the 310th Bomb Group in Italy, deputy base commander of the 593rd Air Force Base Unit, and deputy base commander of the 1455th Air Force Base Unit from 1945 to 1947. When the Air Force was established as a separate military branch in 1947, Bower transferred from the U.S. Army Air Forces to the Air Force.

Bower retired on September 1, 1966, after accumulating over 5,300 flight hours in the Air Force. He passed away in January 2011 and was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

Thank you for your service!