William Y. Anderson
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William Yngve Anderson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Yngve Anderson |
| Nickname(s) | Willie |
| Born | June 28, 1921 Kramfors, Sweden |
| Died | May 9, 2011 (aged 89) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Air Medal (13) Croix de guerre (France) |
| Other work | Commercial pilot United Airlines |
William Yngve Anderson (June 28, 1921 – May 9, 2011) was a Swedish-born American fighter ace of World War II, credited with seven official victories in Europe while flying P-51 Mustang fighters with the United States Army Air Forces.
Biography
[edit]Anderson was born in Kramfors, Sweden, on June 28, 1921. In 1922, Anderson's family emigrated from Sweden to Chicago. Anderson joined the United States Army Air Forces in September 1941. After completion of training in 1943, he was stationed at RAF Boxted, near London, on "Diver" patrols, defending London from V-1 flying bombs.
Anderson shot down a V-1 on June 17, 1944, and it is possible but not confirmed that he shot down more V-1s.[1] His official tally of 7, however, does not include V-1s, as shooting down pilotless aircraft did not officially count towards his victory tally.[1]
Official victories:
- 13 April 1944 one Focke-Wulf Fw 190
- 28 May 1944 one Messerschmitt Bf 109
- 21 June 1944 two Messerschmitt Me 410s
- 1 August 1944 one Bf 109
- 7 August 1944 two Bf 109s
References
[edit]- ^ a b Gyllenhaal, Lars; Westberg, Lennart (2010), Swedes at War: Willing Warriors of a Neutral Nation, 1914–1945, ISBN 978-0-9777563-1-5
External links
[edit]- 1921 births
- 2011 deaths
- American World War II flying aces
- United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II
- Recipients of the Air Medal
- Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Swedish emigrants to the United States