Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Staats
Rader
May 21, 1914

–

November 5, 2003

Born:

Wheeling

, 

West Virginia

Home:

Wheeling

, 

Virginia

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, William Rader transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1968 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    368th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    306th Bombardment Group (H

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) William Staats Rader, 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 Heavy Bomber in the 368th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, in action over enemy-occupied Continental Europe during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General William Staats Rader, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Rader and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    368th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    306th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) William Staats Rader, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber of the 368th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations on one of the first deep penetration daylight raids over Europe in 1943. Captain Rader took his unit, unescorted by the shorter range fighters, to a point more than 200 miles southeast of Paris. Despite heavy enemy fire, which knocked out two of his aircraft’s engines and the manual elevator controls, he bombed the primary target and made it back to England on automatic pilot. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Rader, 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.