About
William Leuchars Willocks Jr., the son of William and Elizabeth Willocks, was born on February 4, 1923, in Scotland. By 1925, he was living with his family in Schenectady. William graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in 1941 and entered in the General Electric Company's apprentice program. He was also a member of the Scottish Clans Organization.
William enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve in 1942. He held the rank of Airman First Class and served with the Patrol Bombing Squadron 109, Third Fleet Operations. He was last stationed at Yonten Field, Okinawa. On August 5, 1945, William went missing during an anti-shipping mission against the Japanese. He is remembered at the Evergreen Memorial Park, Colonie, New York.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry
Flier Missing For Year Is Presumed Dead
William Willocks Jr., of 941 Norwood avenue, who was reported missing Aug. 5, 1945, when the plane on which he was serving as an aviation machinist's mate first class failed to return from an anti-shipping mission against the Japanese, is presumed to be dead by the navy department, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willocks.
This was to have been his- last combat mission before returning to this country. Willocks served with "Miller's Reluctant Raiders" on land, sea and air. Later reports stated the plane was seen shot down in flames and there were no survivors.
Willocks, a native of Dundee, Scotland, came to this city 21 years ago at the age of two. Graduated from Mont Pleasant High school, he was taking an apprentice course at the General Electric Co. prior to his enlistment in 1942.
He was stationed in the Pacific theater for a year before returning to the states in September, 1944. The following January he was shipped out again and -was last stationed at Yontan field, Okinawa. He was awarded seven battle stars and a presidential unit citation and silver wings with three small gold stars, signifying action on land, sea and air.
Schenectady Gazette August 26, 1946
