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Navy Federal Credit Union
William
D.
Grosvenor
POW (WWII) Escapee
January 25, 1920

–

March 2, 2009

Born:

Colfax

, 

Iowa

Home:

Colfax

, 

Iowa

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William D. Grosvenor (ASN: 0-667814), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations 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.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    November 30, 1944 – Escaped
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 11307

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William D. Grosvenor (ASN: 0-667814), United States Army Air Forces, was when his P-47 fighter airplane developed engine trouble and he was forced to bail out over enemy-controlled territory near Brussels, Belgium. He was rescued by members of the Belgian Resistance and spent the next several months in safe houses in Brussels before being captured by German forces and imprisoned with other Allied pilots in Brussels. He and other pilots subsequently escaped from a train that was carrying them from the prison camp to a concentration camp.