T/ Sergeant WILLIE SANDERS FANT 06284768

T/ Sergeant WILLIE SANDERS FANT 06284768, Army Air Corps. He is the husband of Jeannett Odelle Walker Fant, of Goldonna, and father of Lynda Faith Fant. He was born February 12, 1917, and was engaged in farming when he enlisted in the U. S. Cavalry July 14, 1937 at the age of 20. He re-enlisted October 8, 1940, and was assigned to the AAF, training at Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, and other fields. As tail gunner on a B-17, he completed 30 missions December, 1943-May, 1944, and returned to the States to rest camps in Florida and Texas. Returning Lo England, he was killed in action January 8, 1945, at the age of 27. He served in the 368th Bomber Squadron 306th Bomb Group. He is interred in the Cambridge American Military Cemetery. Sergeant Fant received the Air Medal February 11, 1944, for five separate bomber missions, and three Oak Leaf Clusters. On May 11, 1944, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for valor (DFC) on many heavy bombardment missions. “Displaying great courage and skill, Sergeant Fant, fighting from his gun position, has warded off many enemy attacks and has materially aided in the success of each of these missions,” his citation reads. His wife was presented the Purple Heart Medal (PHM) by mail in March, 1945. 

 

Source:

1- THE FIGHTING MEN OF LOUISIANA – LOUISIANA HISTORICAL INSTITUTE – 1946

2- US Headstone and Interment records for US Military

3- https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=1&cat=all&tf=F&q=WILLIE+S+FANT&bc=sd&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=177330