William Edward Buck, Jr.
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

On 17 July 1943, then-Lieutenant Colonel William Edward Buck, Jr. was serving with the 325th Bomb Squadron, 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces, at RAF Alconbury, Huntingdon, England in the European Theater of Operations.

On that day, LTC Buck's B-17 Flying Fortress was participating in a bombing mission. LTC Buck's courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Command Pilot Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to William E. Buck, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while participating in a bombing mission on 17 July 1943. The personal courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Buck on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters: European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 61 (1943)

Death and Burial

Colonel William Edward Buck, Jr. died on 15 June 2003. He is buried at Saint Marys Cemetery in Sherman, Grayson County, TX, in Section 4, Lot 28, Space 4.

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