Captain William R Ludwig
Silver Star
William R Ludwig was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ludwig on August 14, 1918. He was raised in Las Vegas NM and graduated from Las Vegas HS. He then attended NMMI and in 1938 he enrolled at NMAMC. While in school he was a cheerleader for the Aggies. In May 1940 he graduated with his degree in Business administration and his commission as a reserve officer. He immediately departed to pilot training and in March 1941 was awarded his wings at Kelly Field. He served as an AAF flying instructor from June 1942 to August 1943. In August of 1943 he was assigned to fly anti-submarine patrols. In September 1944 he was assigned as Commander of the 352nd Bomb Squadron, 301st Bomb Group then operating out of the Lucera airfield, a part of the Foggia Province complexes in southern Italy. He assumed command of the squadron in October 1944. The following is taken from the text of his awarding of the Silver Star w/valor:
The following is extracted from the History of the 90th Infantry Division:
On returning from a mission Nov 18th, Captain Ludwig’s plane was in a very bad condition and burning. As he circled the field it became necessary to leave the airplane. In line with the highest traditions of the Air Corps, he remained with the plane until all of his crew of nine men had bailed out, and then he left the ship. By this time, he was too low and the parachute did not have time to open. He could have left the ship a little sooner but it would have crashed into the building area; so he stayed at the controls until he cleared the area.
Captain William R Ludwig left a wife, the former Geraldine Ling. His body was returned to the United States following the war and today is interred in the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Captain William R Ludwig was 26 years of age at the time he gave his life for his crew and nation.