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William Somervell, Jr.

First Name: 
William
Middle Name: 
Dorsey
Last Name: 
Somervell, Jr.
Date of Birth: 
3/15/1920

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He completed 300 hours of flight over The Hump, the allied lifeline to China. This was a treacherous route over impassable mountains. He died from injuries in a crash landing at Tezpur, India, which was the only accident of his flying career. His memorial marker is at National Memorial Cemetery in Honolulu, HI.

Age at Death: Unavailable

Image Source: Charlotte News

Personal Details

Education Details: 
St. Andrews, Middletown, DE - graduate, University of North Carolina, Class of 1943
Biographical Notes: 
Family Details: 

Louise Dudley (Smith) Somervell -married 4/6/1942: 702 N. Tryon St. (her parents home), Charlotte, NC

Virginia Burton Somervell 6 months old

Mr. William Dorsey Somervell - Durham NC, Mrs. Geraldine Rolfe Somervell - Atlantic City, NJ

Jean Somervell - Prince Frederick, MD

Burton H. Smith, 702 N. Tryon - father-in-law

Military Details

Military Branch: 
Army Air Corps Enlisted: August 1941
Military Rank: 
Captain
Military Unit: 
1327th Army Air Force Base Unit Air Transport Command, pilot of a B-24 Liberator
KIA Date: 
11/2/1944
MIA Date: 
NA
KIA / MIA Place: 
India
Military Details: 
Columbus Field, MS -received his wings and commission in 3/1942, India, Romulus Field, Detroit, MI, Tyndall Field, FL - about 1 year
Awards: 
Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross - 5/10/1945, other Army awards
Source: 

newsprint and death index; <I>The Alumni Review</I>

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