William Roderick Cameron (1920 - 2004)

Born 8 Jan 1920 in Hanford, Kings, California, United States

Died 15 Mar 2004 at age 84 in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, California, United States

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Biography

William Cameron was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (United States).

William Cameron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States).

William Cameron was awarded the Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 (France).

William Cameron was awarded the Air Medal.

William Cameron was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.

Lt Colonel William Cameron served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II
Service started: 5 Jan 1942
Unit(s): 67th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, Ninth Air Force
Service ended:

William was born 8 January 1920 in Hanford, California. He was the son of Walter Cameron and Sarah Bullock.^[1]

William was the pilot of the B-24 Liberator bomber, Buzzin’ Bear (#41-24229), participating in Operation Tidal Wave the low-level attack on the Romanian oil refineries at Ploesti on 1 August 1943. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for the mission.

He married Allison Stilwell in Carmel, California on 27 December 1947.^[2][3]

He passed away 15 March 2004 in Carmel, California.^[4][5]

Find A Grave: Memorial #49162924

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Air Corps) William Roderick Cameron (ASN: 0-727169), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 67th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. As Commanding Officer of the 67th Bombardment Squadron, Major Cameron was leading his squadron of B-24D type aircraft in a daring low-level raid on an important oil refinery when, some ten miles from the target, his airplane was subjected to intense gunfire from enemy installations. Realizing that to take the normal evasive action customary would disrupt the formation, Major Cameron, rather than risk the success of so vital a mission, held his course straight to the target, even though it had been previously attacked and delayed-action bombs were bursting among the blazing oil tanks. By his accurate piloting and brave determination Major Cameron contributed highly to the successful destruction of the objective. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Cameron on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VLNF-N7Z : 27 November 2014), William R Cameron, 08 Jan 1920; citing Kings, California, United States, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.
2. ↑ Hanford Man will Wed General Stilwell’s Daughter, The Fresno Bee, Fresno, California, 28 Sep 1947, Sun • Page 35
3. ↑ Miss Alison Stilwell Exchanges Vows with Lt. Col William R. Cameron, Hanford Morning Journal, Hanford, California, 30 Dec 1947, Tue • Page 4
4. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JT8K-S4D : 11 January 2021), William R Cameron, 15 Mar 2004; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
5. ↑ Native son Cameron dies at 84, The Hanford Sentinel, Hanford, California, 25 Mar 2004, Thu • Page 6
6. ↑ The Hall of Valor Project, William Roderick Cameron

• Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947"
  National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For California, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 265
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2238 #18514413 (accessed 24 January 2024)
  Name: William Roderick Cameron; Gender: Male; Race: White; Age: 21; Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head); Birth Date: 8 Jan 1920; Birth Place: Hanford, California, USA; Residence Place: Hanford, Kings, California, USA; Registration Date: 1 Jul 1941; Registration Place: Hanford, Kings, California, USA; Employer: Strategic Metal Company; Height: 5 7; Weight: 140; Complexion: Light; Hair Color: Brown; Eye Color: Hazel; Next of Kin: Walter W Cameron;
  Household Members (Name) Relationship:
  William Roderick Cameron Self (Head).
• "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMX1-LXQ : 5 December 2014), William R Cameron, enlisted 05 Jan 1942, Fresno, California, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
• William R. Cameron, The Hanford Sentinel, Hanford, California, 01 Mar 1947, Sat • Page 2
• Valor, Dedication, and Miracles, By John L. Frisbee, Contributing Editor, AirForce Magazine, Mar 1997