Colonel Earl T. Williams (retired) is turning 100 years old on March 10th and members of the B-17 Archaeology/B-17 Rescue are hosting his 100th Birthday celebration on March 8th, 2019 at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside, CA.
The Bradford Exchange is presenting Col Williams box #1 of 1941 tribute to Col. Williams service in WWII.
What makes Col. Williams unique?
Stationed at March Field April 1940 – August 1941
- Was on a B-17 that arrived over Hawaii on December 7th 1941 (radar that picked up the attacking force assumed it was the 12 B-17’s coming from California).
- Was on the FIRST US piloted plane shot down in WWII
- Wounded in the air on December 7, 1941 and (Never Received the Purple Heart)*
- Completed 55 Missions in the South Pacific
- 33 years of service and retired as Colonel
Earl was treated for a minor head wound the morning of the attack and because of the absolute chaos, records were not kept on the morning of December 7, 1941. Earl’s co-pilot took Earl to the hospital to be treated and wrote a letter stating to the fact. Greg Stathatos is currently working with Earl in hopes of being able to obtain the Purple Heart medal for this event.
Stathatos is asking for your help to promote this amazing story and Earl’s 100th. They would love to have everybody attend the celebration, however if you cannot, you can also send Col. Williams a birthday card to the museum. Stathatos' goal is for Earl to receive 1941 birthday cards.
March Field AIR Museum 22550 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518. March 8th, 2019 we are celebrating Col. Williams 100th Birthday. The celebration starts at 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Ramona’s food truck will be serving lunch from 12:00 – 1:30 (Tacos and drink $10) Birthday cake will be served!
March 10th 2019 noon Col Williams will be out at Palm Springs Air Museum taking a ride the a P-51 (The only WWII airplane Earl has never been in) The flight is scheduled for noon.
March 17th 2019, Col. Williams will also be honored at the California Speedway for the Auto Club 400 in the opening ceremonies. We will have his complete stories on our webpage (www.b17archaeology.com) We are also going to have a drawing to win a WWII practice bomb signed by nearly 100 veterans ranging from all Theaters during WWII to present active military heroes.
Memorial day 2019, The drawing for the signed bomb, which the winner will be drawn by Col. Williams himself.