Briefing Document: William James Slaughter

Subject: Life and Military Service of William James Slaughter

Date: October 26, 2023

Source: Excerpt from unspecified text on William James Slaughter

Overview: This document summarizes the key biographical details and military service of William James Slaughter, drawing from the provided text. The focus is on his upbringing, education, military enlistment, and his ultimate fate during World War II.

Key Themes and Information:

Early Life and Family:William James Slaughter was born on September 18, 1924, in De Leon, Comanche County, Texas.

His parents were Bertha Irene Sides and William Payne Slaughter. His mother was 27 at the time of his birth and his father was 31.

The text indicates his mother was from Comanche County, Texas, while his father was from Mississippi.

His mother lived until 1995. His father died in 1952.

The 1930 census shows William living with his parents and two siblings.

The 1940 census shows him, at age 15, still living with his parents but with a single sister, implying that one sibling was no longer living at home.

Education:He graduated from De Leon High School.

He attended John Tarleton Agricultural College in Stephenville, Texas.

Military Service:Enlistment: He enlisted from the reserves into the U.S. Army Air Corps as a private on February 24, 1943, in Dallas, Texas. He was listed as a white male born in Texas in 1924 and residing in Comanche County at the time of his enlistment.

Service Details: His Army Serial Number (ASN) was 18214549.

Role: He served as a tail gunner in the 612th Bombardment Squadron, 401st Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force.

Aircraft: He was aboard the Lockheed/Vega B-17G-5-VE Fortress s/n 42-39943, nicknamed "Lassie Come Home".

Base: The aircraft was based out of Deenethorpe Airfield, England.

Death:Date and Location: On May 7, 1944, during a combat bombing mission to Berlin, Germany, "the B-17 was hit by enemy flak over the target area and crashed at Hohnebostel, seven miles southeast of Celle, Germany..."

Casualties: The crash resulted in the death of nine crew members, including Sergeant William J. Slaughter.

Burial: Sgt. Slaughter was initially buried in a temporary grave. His remains were repatriated to America in 1949 and reinterred in the De Leon Cemetery in De Leon, Texas on June 28, 1949.

Key Quotes:

"William James Slaughter born on 18 September 1924 at De Leon, Comanche County, Texas..."

"Sergeant William J. Slaughter 18214549 US Army Air Forces...was the tail gunner aboard Lockheed/Vega B-17G-5-VE Fortress s/n 42-39943 'Lassie Come Home'..."

"The B-17 was hit by enemy flak over the target area and crashed at Hohnebostel, seven miles southeast of Celle, Germany, killing nine of the crewmen."

"Sgt Slaughter was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the De Leon Cemetery..."

Analysis:

This information paints a clear picture of a young man from rural Texas who joined the war effort and tragically lost his life in service to his country. The document outlines his geographical progression from birth to enlistment to his eventual demise, demonstrating the harsh reality of war and its impact on a single individual. The level of detail regarding his military service, specifically his unit and the aircraft he served on, highlights the precision often found in historical military records. The ultimate repatriation of his remains speaks to the commitment to honor and remember the fallen soldiers.

Concluding Remarks:

The provided document serves as a succinct yet comprehensive biography of William James Slaughter, illuminating both his ordinary life and his extraordinary sacrifice. It provides an informative look into the life of a World War II soldier from Texas who was ultimately killed in action, underscoring the human cost of war.