Sergeant Rollings' Legacy

On July 28, 1944, Technical Sergeant William S. Rollings was deemed Killed In Action.  He had been missing since July 25, 1944, and his date of death was estimated as few remains were found following his crew's plane crashing.  His remains were buried at Normandy American Cemetery in Plot B, Row 2, Grave 19. (Shown to the right).

Normandy Cemetery covers 172,5 acres and contains 9,386 graves of fallen soldiers. Many these soldiers lost their lives during the D-Day invasion and other related operations. The Cemetery also contains the Walls of the Missing, which contains 1,557 inscribed names of soldier missing in action. 

 

 

Air Medal (left) and Purple Heart Medal (right).

Awards and recognition

William Rollings received two major honors separate of his squadron's awards.  

Rollings was awarded an Air Medal with 11 Gold Stars. The Air Medal is awarded to individuals who, while serving in the armed forces, displayed meritorious achievement during aerial combat. Each subsequent gold start indicates repeated earning of the same award. 

Rollings was also awarded a Purple Heart.  The Purple Heart is awarded to individuals who are wounded or killed in the line of duty. 

In addition to individual awards, the 573rd Bomber Squadron received a Distinguished Unit Citation for December 23-26, 1944 due to the lack of planned escort and heavy enemy attacks. These Unit Citations are awarded to troops who display extraordinary heroism in action against armed enemies.    

William S. Rollings was a selfless and dedicated pilot.  He enlisted at the age of 24 to serve and protect his country, eventually making the ultimate sacrifice. Through his 18 months of service, he fought on both local and foreign soil to defend the freedom of Americans. He fought until the very end as his crew's plane was shot down, fighting to a violent end. His country will never forget his sacrifice and dedication to defending the nation. As we enjoy the freedoms we experience everyday, we honor the past and present soldiers who have valiantly fought to protect our country. 

 

 

Above is William Rollings' record of internment for Normandy Cemetery.

 

To the right is documentation of remains found after Rollings' crash, labeled and declared as his own.