William Ellison Pennewill
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Commander William Ellison Pennewill, born in Dover, Delaware
, 20 February 1907, was an aviator
of the United States Navy
, killed on 23 June 1942, as a result of a crash.
on 18 June 1925. He was commissioned Ensign on 6 June 1931 and reported for duty under instruction in flying, at the Naval Air Station Pensacola
, Florida
. His next duty was in Salt Lake City, then with Scouting Squadron 10–S, aboard . On 7 March 1932 he reported for duty with the Aircraft Scouting Force until 2 June 1934, when he was transferred to Bombing Squadron 3–B, aboard . He returned to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola and on 2 August 1941 joined the 16th Bombardment Wing
. After serving at the Savannah Air Base, Savannah, Georgia
, until 6 March 1942, he was assigned duty involving flying in connection with the fitting out of Escort Scouting Squadron Twelve.
, he was in command of the squadron
and while serving in this capacity, was killed, 23 June 1942, as a result of an airplane crash, while on duty at the Naval Air Station Kodiak, Alaska
. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for outstanding achievement in aerial flight in contact with the enemy, for leading his inexperienced squadron in a series of remarkable flights over strange terrain and through most severe weather conditions, and for gallantly giving his life in the service of his country.
Dover, Delaware
The city of Dover is the capital and second largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is also the county seat of Kent County, and the principal city of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Kent County. It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware...
, 20 February 1907, was an aviator
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, killed on 23 June 1942, as a result of a crash.
Navy career
Pennewill was appointed MidshipmanMidshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
on 18 June 1925. He was commissioned Ensign on 6 June 1931 and reported for duty under instruction in flying, at the Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. His next duty was in Salt Lake City, then with Scouting Squadron 10–S, aboard . On 7 March 1932 he reported for duty with the Aircraft Scouting Force until 2 June 1934, when he was transferred to Bombing Squadron 3–B, aboard . He returned to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola and on 2 August 1941 joined the 16th Bombardment Wing
16th Bombardment Wing (World War II)
The 16th Bombardment Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Continental Air Forces, based at Colorado Springs AAF, Colorado. It was inactivated on 8 October 1948.-Lineage:...
. After serving at the Savannah Air Base, Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, until 6 March 1942, he was assigned duty involving flying in connection with the fitting out of Escort Scouting Squadron Twelve.
Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
On 29 May 1942, as Lieutenant CommanderLieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
, he was in command of the squadron
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
and while serving in this capacity, was killed, 23 June 1942, as a result of an airplane crash, while on duty at the Naval Air Station Kodiak, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
for outstanding achievement in aerial flight in contact with the enemy, for leading his inexperienced squadron in a series of remarkable flights over strange terrain and through most severe weather conditions, and for gallantly giving his life in the service of his country.