Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Lawrence
Leverette
September 5, 1913

–

April 7, 2003

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

William Leverette received a degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University and a masters in aeronautical engineering from Princeton. The SEVEN aerial victories in the single-day action that earned him the DSC enabled him to became a double ACE in World War II, with 11 aerial victories. He was only one of 2 Army airmen to shoot down 7 enemy aircraft in one mission. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1965 as a Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    37th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    14th Fighter Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1943

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) William Lawrence Leverette (ASN: 0-322014), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    37th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    14th Fighter Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Army-North African Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 151 (December 1, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) William Lawrence Leverette (ASN: 0-322014), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 9 October 1943, during an air mission in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. On that date, Major Leverette led seven P-38s on a mission to protect Royal Navy warships in the Mediterranean Sea. When he sighted a formation of 30 German JU-87 Stuka dive bombers, he sent three of his fighters to fly top cover while he and the other three closed on the Stukas which had a gunner manning a flexible machine gun plus two wing-mounted guns. Major Leverette took out seven of the Stukas while his unit shot down another nine, plus a JU-88. The rest either headed for home or ended up in the sea. Major Leverette’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 12th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    37th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    14th Fighter Group

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1943

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major (Air Corps) William Lawrence Leverette (ASN: 0-322014), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, TWELFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Action during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.