Briefing Document: Robert Allen Williams

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Summary of the life and military service of Robert Allen Williams.

Source: Excerpt from "Pasted Text" (assumed to be a biographical or historical account)

Key Themes:

Early Life and Family: The document details the birth and early life of Robert Allen Williams, including his parents' names, birth dates, and places of origin, as well as his residences based on census records from 1930 and 1940.

Military Service in WWII: The main focus is Williams' military service as a gunner in the US Army Air Forces during World War II. It highlights the specific unit he served in and the circumstances of his death during a bombing mission.

Tragic Death and Repatriation: The document details the circumstances surrounding Williams' death as a result of his plane crashing. It also notes his initial burial in Italy and the subsequent repatriation of his remains to the United States after the war.

Key Facts and Ideas:

Personal Details:Robert Allen Williams was born on May 9, 1925, in Richland Springs, San Saba County, Texas.

His parents were Eunice Stevens (born 1902 in Brownwood, Texas, died 1954) and Carrow Byrd Williams (born 1895 in Kentucky, died 1945 in Dallas, Texas).

The text highlights the ages of his parents at his birth which can help establish time frame information.

Early Life:He lived in Richland Springs with his parents and paternal grandfather in 1930.

By 1935, he was living in rural San Saba County, Texas.

In 1940 at age 14 he lived with his parents in Walnut Springs, JP3 Bosque County, Texas.

He registered for the draft on May 10, 1943, in Glen Rose, Somervell County, Texas, listing his father as next of kin. This information confirms his entry into military service.

Military Service:He was a Sergeant (Sgt) in the U.S. Army Air Forces, service number 38530956.

He served in the 779th Bombardment Squadron, 464th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force.

He was a gunner aboard a Ford B-24J-1-FO Liberator, s/n 42-50736.

His base of operations was Pantanella Airfield, Italy.

Combat Mission & Death:On October 17, 1944, his aircraft participated in a bombing mission targeting the Vienna South Ordnance Depot in Vienna, Austria.

The B-24 was piloted by 2Lt Edward J Degman.

The plane was hit by flak over the target, which damaged the nose and one engine.

Returning home the nose landing gear would not engage.

They crashed near the airfield because of engine failure.

All ten crew members, including Sgt Williams, and two passengers were killed.

This indicates that the crash was caused by technical failure resulting from combat damage.

Post-Death:Sgt Williams was initially buried in a temporary grave in Italy.

His remains were repatriated to the United States in 1948.

He was reinterred in the Richland Springs Cemetery on December 6, 1948.

Quotes:

"Sergeant Robert A. Williams 38530956 US Army Air Forces 779th Bombardment Squadron 464th Bombardment Group 15th Air Force was a gunner aboard a Ford B-24J-1-FO Liberator s/n 42-50736 out of Pantanella Airfiled, Italy on 17 October 1944 for a combat bombing mission to the Vienna South Ordnance Depot Vienna, Austria."

"When at the home base returning from Austria , the nose gear would not extend so he circled while crewmen tried to crank the gear into position. They crashed near the airfield due to engine failure and all 10 crewmen were killed and two passengers, allegedly."

Analysis:

The source provides a concise biographical sketch of Robert Allen Williams, focusing particularly on his military service and the tragic circumstances of his death during WWII. The detail regarding his specific unit, aircraft, and the events of the fateful mission give a clear picture of his role in the conflict and the risks he faced. The text also highlights the delayed repatriation of remains as a consequence of WWII, as his remains were returned to the US three years after the end of the war.

Possible Next Steps:

Further research into the 464th Bombardment Group and its missions could provide additional context to Sgt. Williams's service.

Review of the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR 16515) could reveal more specific details about the crash and the circumstances surrounding the crew's deaths.

Researching records of the Richland Springs Cemetery may provide further details about Williams' burial.

This briefing document provides a comprehensive overview of the information provided regarding Robert Allen Williams in the source text.