Soldier History

William S. Rollings was originally introduced to the idea of joining the Army Air Force when he registered for the draft on October 16, 1940 at the age of 22. He originally registered for the draft in Wiconisco in 1940, but later enlisted in Harrisburg, PA on February 4, 1943 at the age of 24.  His enlistment is recognized as a selfless action towards defending his nation, as he was not called upon by the draft. 

 

Throughout his military career, he fought under the 573rd Bomber Squadron and the 391st Bomber Group, an assignment of the prior engagement.  He was a Technical Sergeant when he unfortunately passed.  As a technical sergeant, a noncommissioned rank, he was responsible for ensuring the privates below him were supplied and capable of achieving the mission, but also had the possibility of specializing in heavier weaponry aboard his group's plane. 

 

Aircraft typically utilized by the 573rd Bomber Squadron, known as the    B-26 Marauder. 

The B-26 Marauder had the capacity to hold 11.50-cal machine guns and 4,000 lbs. of bombs, and it had the lowest loss rate of any Allied bomber.  However, production was halted at 5,266 planes.

 

Crew photo from the 573rd Bomber Squadron. (Individuals unlabeled, so not known which man could potentially be Rollings. 

 

William Rolling's military service came to an end when his plane and crew was shot down in the vicinity of Thury Harcourt, France.  He was declared missing in action, and the military protocol in 1944 stated a twelve month expiration period, at the end of which they will be reevaluated and deemed dead or otherwise noted.  In Rolling's case, his expiration period passed and the few present bodily remains led to the conclusion that he had passed. His date of death was estimated at July 28, 1944. 

William S. Rollings was laid to rest in the Normandy American Cemetery (Plot B, Row 2, Grave 19).

Squadron History

The 573rd Bomber Squadron was activated on January 21, 1943, just a month before William Rollings enlisted. The Squadron was activated at MacDill Field, Florida. The group trained with B-26 Marauder planes for a majority of the year before departing to the European Theater in December of 1943. 

 

MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL during World War II- training place of the 573rd Bomber Squadron.

The group gathered at RAF Matching (Air Force Base) close to London in January of 1944, and flew into its first combative mission on February 15. The group focuses on supporting Operation Overlord- the Invasion of Normandy- by attacking airbases, bridges and German coastal defenses. 

It was close to this time that William S. Rollings was killed in action, on July 28, 1944.

 

In September of 1944, the Squadron moved to Roye-Amy Airfield in France as the combat was extending closer to Germany.  They again focused on attacking bridges, highways, and high-value targets, but on occasion would drop propaganda leaflets. 

 

The Squadron was instrumental in the Battle of the Bulge as they heavily attacked transportation facilities, and they continued without a fighter escort.  Due to lack of escort and heavy enemy attacks, the group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for December 23-26, 1944. 

In April of 1945, they converted to Douglas A-26 Invaders planes and ultimately flew their last mission on May 3, 1945. They left Europe in September 1945 and the Squadron was inactivated on October 29, 1845.

 

Letter to William's mother, Ellen Rollings regarding the missing status of her son, and reassuring their hope in finding him.