Sergeant William T Atchley

Air Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster

William T Atchley was born on December 3, 1920 to Mr. and Mrs. WT Atchley. He grew up in Grenville NM graduating from Clayton HS in 1937. He then enrolled at NMAMC attending from 1937 to 1941. In September 1942 he joined the USAAF where he was trained as a radio operator. He was subsequently assigned to the 98th Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group operating in the Pacific theater. He was assigned to B-24J #42-73496 “Heaven Can Wait” that was sponsored by actor Don Ameche. On May 4, 1944 the plan took off from Eniwetok Field and was never heard from again. The take off had been delayed for two hours due to engine trouble. Flying alone on a bombing mission to Ponape, Caroline Islands, the plane was reported to have been shot down by Japanese ground fire during the bomb run. Sergeant William T Atchley remains missing in action. He and the crew of his plane are memorialized on the Tablet of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial Cemetery. He was 23 years of age at the time of his death.