Missing SGT Roller, William E. – 6910113
About SGT Roller – 6910113
| Name: Roller, William E. |
| Initials: William Edward |
| Rank: Sergeant (SGT), Tail Gunner / Radio Operator |
| Service number: 6910113 |
| Status: Missing in action (MIA) |
| Missing since: December 1, 1943 |
| Unit: 8th Air Force, 322nd Bomber Squadron, 91st Bomber Group, Heavy |
| Start Project: 2013 |
| End project: Open |
| Commemorated: Tablets of the Missing, Belgium Henri-Chapelle U.S. Cemetery and Memorial |
| Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart |
| Research by: Peter Mulder |
| Case ID: # 0012 |
Circumstances
During a mission with target Leverkusen Germany, the crew of 10 in a B-17 “Flying Fortress”, serial number 41-24511, nickname “Wheel n Deal“ was hit by FLAK (Flugabwehrkanone). SGT Roller, William Edward was last seen while trying to bail out at the escape hatch in the tail section of the aircraft.
The aircraft came down near the Rhine River in the vicinity of Düsseldorf. SGT Roller was the only one who did not manage to bail out on time. The other 9 crewmembers survived the crash and became POW. Finally, they returned to the United States.
Aircraft data:
Serial Number: 41-24511
Type: B-17F
Nickname: Wheel n Deal
Target: Leverkusen, Germany
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR): 1323
Wheel N Deal – 332nd Squadron – 2LT John Wennerberg’s Crew
Back row – left to right
SGT Charles Grubb, Gunner
SGT William E. Roller, Radio Operator/Gunner
SGT Morris Schendleman, Tail Gunner
SGT Stanley T. Kacprzyk, Left Waist Gunner
SGT William Cole, Right Waist Gunner
Front row – left to right
2LT John W. Temple, Bombardier
2LT Eugene Cohalan, Navigator
2LT John T. Wennerberg, Pilot
LT William Myers, Co-pilot
Original Crew
SGT William Edward Roller was killed In Action (KIA) on December 1, 1943 and the other crew members became POW. 2LT Robert A. Dickson was co-pilot as replacement of 2LT William F. Myers. SSGT Nick J. Nicoletti was radio operator as replacement of SSGT Charles W. Grubb during the mission of December 1st, 1943. SGT Squire Baker, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner is not on the photo above.
Family
Blanche Everett (Aunt)
Carol (Roller) Dahl (Niece)
Chris Ann Roller (Niece)
Gail (Roller) McCarthy (Niece)
Photo contributed by Carol (Roller) Dahl