William was onboard a Combat B-25 that was being used as a Transport Ferry on 19 Feb.1944 when it exploded in mid-air over Lake Lessina. Flight originaled at Vincenzo Airdrome on it's way to Guado Airdrome, Italy.

447th BS Ship Exploded; DNB 19 Feb. 1944

Stanley; Pearson, Stanley O., Sgt, engineering (17047638) (Kelliner MN)
(NARA - 17047638 PEARSON#STANLEY#O# MN BELTRAMI T SNELLING MN 42)

19 Feb. 1944 Special Accounts, 447th War-Diary; Friday
447th BS War Diary: A scheduled mission to Spolita L/G was cancelled because of weather. A practice mission to Crotone L/G was scheduled and briefed, but cancelled because of weather. It was reported that Capt. DeMay’s plane may have been found in the mountains east of Salerno. It has now been determined that the crews of the three planes lost on 19 February were as follows”

***#775, Capt. K.C. DeMay, Cpl D.W. Allender, Sgt. J. Kaiser, Sgt. S.O. Pearson, Cpl. J.P. Lee, S/Sgt. R.C. Cooper,

#413, 1st Lt. W.J. Toltzman, T/Sgt. F.T. Orfila, Sgt. E.S. Atkinson, Sgt. G.F. Brandt, Pvt. E.F. Edwards, T/Sgt. O.D. Nowakowski and Sgt. W.J. Cheatle.

*#546, 2nd Lt. Bryant, Sgt. R.K. Keech, T/Sgt. E.B. Seery, S/Sgt. G.M. Eckenrode, Sgt. K.F. Duval1 and Cpl. W.G. Wildman.

Cpl. William H. Pierce has been transferred to this squadron per order of XII Bomber Command Pvt. Charles E. Hiltibidal, Charles E., Cpl, communications and PFC John L. Sullivan have been assigned to this squadron and placed on S.D. with headquarters, 321st Bomb Group.

Barbi Ennis Connolly, 319thBG and 321st BG Historian in the 57th Bomb Wing. PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com

William J Toltzman