About
Rowland Gipson Thornton Jr., the son of Rowland and Margaret Thornton, was born on January 30, 1920, in Richmond, Virginia. By 1930, he was living with his family in Schenectady. Rowland attended Mont Pleasant High School, Wilson College, Washington, D.C., and the University of Michigan.
On December 31, 1941, Rowland enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He received his pilot's wings and commission in September 1942 at Columbus, Mississippi, and left for overseas in February 1943. Rowland held the rank of First Lieutenant and served with the 450th Bomb Squadron, 332nd Bomb Group, 9th Air Force. He flew nearly 50 B-26 missions. On March 20, 1944, Rowlands' aircraft failed to return from a bombing mission at Zudausques, France. It was struck by flak in its port engine and wing while flying over the target. The aircraft broke away from formation, entering a tight spin that ended with an explosion on impact. He is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry