Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Joseph
Hennon
DNB (1943)
June 13, 1919

–

March 31, 1943

Born:

Minneapolis

, 

Minnesota

Home:

Minneapolis

, 

Minnesota

Buried: 

San Antonio

, 

Texas

Cemetery:

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

During World War II, William Hennon became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 7 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Returning to the United States in 1953, he was lost on a routine flight when his BT-1A disappeared between Farmingdale, Illinois and Groton, Connecticut.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) William J. Hennon (ASN: 0-406549), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 7th Pursuit Squadron, 49th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    17th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William J. Hennon (ASN: 0-406549), 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 as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps), [then First Lieutenant]

    Batallion:

    17th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, Allied Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, General Orders No. 27 (July 11, 1942)

    (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), [then First Lieutenant] William Joseph Hennon (ASN: 0-406549), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Airplane in the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Hennon, 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    17th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William J. Hennon (ASN: 0-406549), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-40 Fighter Pilot of the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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.