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William
Junior
Simmons
KIA (WWII)
1921

–

April 25, 1944

Born:

Blackfoot

, 

Idaho

Home:

Los Angeles

, 

California

Buried: 

Glendale

, 

California

Cemetery:

Forest Lawn Memorial Park

During World War II, William Simmons became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, before he was himself shot down on April 25, 1944 and presumed killed in action. Additional reports, unconfirmed, indicated that he may have been captured and held as a prisoner of war..

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    355th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 170 (June 30, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Junior Simmons (ASN: 0-744781), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943 and 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Simmons, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.