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William Ernest Peterson
March 7, 2017 Light a Candle
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Message from Carol Bertram
March 16, 2017 9:32 AM
As soon as the United States entered World War II, Bill courageously volunteered to serve his country in the Army Air Corps. He was a decorated aerial combat veteran. He served in the 5th Air Force, 90th Bomb Group, 400th Bomb Squadron in the Southwest Pacific Theatre. The 90th Bomb Group, the Jolly Rogers, was known as “The Best Damn Heavy Bomb Group in The World”. Bill attained the rank of Tech Sergeant and was a nose gunner /engineer on the B-24 Liberator Bomber (heavy) named “Gone with the Wind”. He was the last surviving member of the Suit’s Crew which flew 56 combat missions. He fought in the following battles and campaigns: Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, and Northern Solomons. His bombing missions were comprised of Lae, New Guinea, Wewak, Rabaul, Cape Gloucester, Salamanua and Admiralty Islands. Bill received several decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Medal. After his tour of duty, he returned stateside and was a gunnery instructor until his honorable discharge in 1945.
Bill attended Shaler Township High School and was a life-long resident of Shaler Township. He worked at Heppenstall Steel Company as Chief Inspector where he retired after 38 years of service. Bill earned a Level III designation for Non-destructive testing in the steel making industry. He was the past President of the Western PA area council national management association and served as President of the Heppenstall Management Club. Bill was a former President of Junior Achievement and guided children to invent products for sale. Bill was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge Number 573 and the 90th Bomb Group Association (“The Jolly Rogers”).
After his retirement from Heppenstall Steel Company, Bill worked as a Realtor and was a sales associate with Bernhard Realty. He received many awards for top producer until he retired in the 1990’s.
Bill was a humble, pious man devoted to his family and made many sacrifices for them throughout his life. He had a warm smile and a heart of gold. He always put others before himself.
Bill attended Shaler Township High School and was a life-long resident of Shaler Township. He worked at Heppenstall Steel Company as Chief Inspector where he retired after 38 years of service. Bill earned a Level III designation for Non-destructive testing in the steel making industry. He was the past President of the Western PA area council national management association and served as President of the Heppenstall Management Club. Bill was a former President of Junior Achievement and guided children to invent products for sale. Bill was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge Number 573 and the 90th Bomb Group Association (“The Jolly Rogers”).
After his retirement from Heppenstall Steel Company, Bill worked as a Realtor and was a sales associate with Bernhard Realty. He received many awards for top producer until he retired in the 1990’s.
Bill was a humble, pious man devoted to his family and made many sacrifices for them throughout his life. He had a warm smile and a heart of gold. He always put others before himself.
Message from Carol Bertram
March 14, 2017 8:13 PM
World War II – December 18, 1944
Mission: Island of Biak, North of New Guiana, Bombing Mission of a permanent base once occupied by the Japanese. This is one of 56 missions accomplished by the 90th Bomb Group, 400 Squadron called the Jolly Rodgers in the Army Air Force.
The crew members: Robert Suits, Captain & Pilot; Paul Andrews as Co-Pilot; Bill Peterson as Nose Gunner & Assistant Radio Operator; Don Treadwell as Radio Operator; Steve Siacula as Waist Gunner; Phillip Barnett as Bombardier; George Wendt as Waist Gunner.
Our crew headed for their bombing mission from Biak Island to the Japanese base on December 18, 1944. As we turned on to the bombing run, the nose gunner observed our fighter cover above and noticed they released their auxiliary fuel tanks indicating enemy aircraft in the air. As usual, the Nose Gunner repeated the 23rd psalm as we approached the target. The bombs were released and the mission was successful.
As our crew started back from their mission after the bombs were released, Japanese fighter planes attack our squadron and released prosperous bombs, one exploding just beneath our plane. The pilot maneuvered the plane to escape the impact of the explosion. The Nose Gunner observed a Japanese fighter plane attacking one of our squadron members that had bailed out. As we turned to leave the area we observed several members of our squadron in a yellow raft in the ocean. Our crew removed our life preservers (May west) and tied all the equipment that we thought might help the airmen in the raft. Our Bombadier instructed when to drop the equipment. Our crew flew over the stranded airmen several times dropping whatever food, portable radio and anything on-board that could be used by the stranded airmen in the ocean. We tied the equipment on board to each of the crews Mae West Vests. After dropping all the Mae Wests with the equipment, we headed back to the base. Circling several times to drop supplies, we used up a lot of fuel. We did not have any life support equipment left on the plane.
Leaving the area, we encountered a heavy storm. Storms come up quickly and it was pitch dark. We tried to determine whether we were over land or water by observing lighting flashes. Our radio malfunctioned and we could only send messages but not receive. The navigator could not establish a location due to the storm. The Nose Gunner shot all the flares, about 8 of them hoping someone on land would see the plane. Finally with the last flare, the crew saw two beams of light ahead in the sky. It was a light from Hallandia Air Force Base in New Guinea. The beams crossed each other to give our crew a signal. It turned out to be a landing base in New Guiana, Hallandia Air Force Base.
Very low on fuel with no safeguards on the plane, our Crew was glad to see the flashing light. There was one plane just ahead of us attempting to land and crashed as they approached the landing strip. The crash may have been due to lack of fuel. Our plane had just enough fuel to land safely.
We have no knowledge if the airmen in the water were eventually rescued.
Mission: Island of Biak, North of New Guiana, Bombing Mission of a permanent base once occupied by the Japanese. This is one of 56 missions accomplished by the 90th Bomb Group, 400 Squadron called the Jolly Rodgers in the Army Air Force.
The crew members: Robert Suits, Captain & Pilot; Paul Andrews as Co-Pilot; Bill Peterson as Nose Gunner & Assistant Radio Operator; Don Treadwell as Radio Operator; Steve Siacula as Waist Gunner; Phillip Barnett as Bombardier; George Wendt as Waist Gunner.
Our crew headed for their bombing mission from Biak Island to the Japanese base on December 18, 1944. As we turned on to the bombing run, the nose gunner observed our fighter cover above and noticed they released their auxiliary fuel tanks indicating enemy aircraft in the air. As usual, the Nose Gunner repeated the 23rd psalm as we approached the target. The bombs were released and the mission was successful.
As our crew started back from their mission after the bombs were released, Japanese fighter planes attack our squadron and released prosperous bombs, one exploding just beneath our plane. The pilot maneuvered the plane to escape the impact of the explosion. The Nose Gunner observed a Japanese fighter plane attacking one of our squadron members that had bailed out. As we turned to leave the area we observed several members of our squadron in a yellow raft in the ocean. Our crew removed our life preservers (May west) and tied all the equipment that we thought might help the airmen in the raft. Our Bombadier instructed when to drop the equipment. Our crew flew over the stranded airmen several times dropping whatever food, portable radio and anything on-board that could be used by the stranded airmen in the ocean. We tied the equipment on board to each of the crews Mae West Vests. After dropping all the Mae Wests with the equipment, we headed back to the base. Circling several times to drop supplies, we used up a lot of fuel. We did not have any life support equipment left on the plane.
Leaving the area, we encountered a heavy storm. Storms come up quickly and it was pitch dark. We tried to determine whether we were over land or water by observing lighting flashes. Our radio malfunctioned and we could only send messages but not receive. The navigator could not establish a location due to the storm. The Nose Gunner shot all the flares, about 8 of them hoping someone on land would see the plane. Finally with the last flare, the crew saw two beams of light ahead in the sky. It was a light from Hallandia Air Force Base in New Guinea. The beams crossed each other to give our crew a signal. It turned out to be a landing base in New Guiana, Hallandia Air Force Base.
Very low on fuel with no safeguards on the plane, our Crew was glad to see the flashing light. There was one plane just ahead of us attempting to land and crashed as they approached the landing strip. The crash may have been due to lack of fuel. Our plane had just enough fuel to land safely.
We have no knowledge if the airmen in the water were eventually rescued.
Message from Carol Bertram
March 12, 2017 5:22 PM
My Deepest Sympathy to the Family and All who knew this wonderful, gentle man. He touched the hearts of many and was kind and caring. He will be dearly missed.
Message from Jacqueline McCrory Gentilee
March 11, 2017 10:59 PM
So sorry to hear of William's passing. I was unaware that my great-grandma, Eugenie Peterson, still had a nephew. I would have loved to have met him and shared stories of growing up a Peterson. I have many pictures to share if ever anyone in your family might like to see. In the meantime, my heartfelt sympathies go out to your family as we all lose another member of "the greatest generation." Your distant cousin, Jacquie
Message from Carol Bertram
April 3, 2017 9:18 PM
Jacquiline ...please call me about your photos ...my number is 412-716-0108. Thank you.
Message from Carol Bertram
March 19, 2017 3:18 PM
Jacqueline, my email is carol.bertram@pittsburghmoves.com
Please Email me so we can share photos.
Please Email me so we can share photos.
Message from Carol Bertram
March 13, 2017 3:07 PM
Jacqueline, I would love to see your photos. My email is above. I also can send you photos once I know your email address.
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