William Brooks Rawson

1920 - 1943

Air Force
WWII

Their Story

William Brooks Rawson was born on March 8, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Rawson of Colchester, Illinois. He graduated from Colchester High School in 1938 and decided to pursue a military career. To this end, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in January 1940, and attended Ellington Field Flight School for two years. During his training, the U.S. was thrust into the Second World War after the Japanese Empire destroyed the American fleet at Pearl Harbor Naval Base. Rawson had enlisted in peacetime; he was now set to serve in the most violent conflict that the world had ever known. Despite this, Rawson did not back down from the situation, nor from his country in its time of need.

William graduated from flight training as an enlisted pilot on March 7, 1942, and was married to Doris Wiklund the same day.[1] Tragically, the young couple did not have long to enjoy married life; the two would be forever separated after Rawson deployed to North Africa. William was promoted to Lieutenant before leaving for North Africa.

            Rawson served in some of the earliest American engagements of the war in the Atlantic in the North African front. He flew missions with the 96th fighter squadron, 82nd Fighter Group from December 1942 to April 11, 1943.[2] The 96th flew a variety of missions that included escort of bombers and destruction of enemy materiel: “In North Africa, the squadron flew antisubmarine patrols, bomber escort missions and attacked enemy shipping and airfields, moving its base east through Algeria and Tunisia.”[3] Over the course of these missions, Rawson is reported to have downed six enemy planes. This made him a “ Flying Ace”.

Rawson’s fledgling career as an ace pilot came to a tragic conclusion on April 11, 1943 when his plane was shot down over the Mediterranean Sea while flying a mission from North Africa. His comrade, and best man, Fred Wolfe, later sent a letter to Rawson’s wife confirming her husband’s death.[4] While this letter was surely the first step toward closure for Doris Rawson, it was undoubtedly earth-shattering for the bride of less than a year.

            William Brooks Rawson’s legacy did not end in that battle over the Mediterranean, however. He was posthumously awarded the Army Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters in honor of his service in defense of the United States.[5] In addition to these medals honoring his military service, Rawson’s living legacy was born weeks after he was shot down. Doris gave birth to their daughter in May 1943.[6] In so many ways this heightens the tragedy of Rawson’s death, a moment which signifies a family’s enduring pain and hardship; a father never able to meet his daughter, a daughter raised without the loving care of a father, and a mother left to bear the burden of raising their child alone. By the same token, Rawson’s heroism and sacrifice are laid bare even more vividly due to this tragedy. William Brooks Rawson sacrificed a life of happiness with his wife and child to defend his country and the world from the Axis Powers, a sacrifice that will forever put America in the debt of these heroes.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61339542/william-brooks-rawson: accessed 16 June 2023)

[1]Wed in Texas,” The Daily Times, March 13, 1942, p. 31,.

[2]William B Rawson in the U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S., Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942-1949,” Ancestry, 2014;

Missing Moline Flier Is Awarded Army Air Medal,” The Rock Island Argus, July 10, 1943, p. 14.

[3]American Air Museum in Britain,” American Air Museum in Britain, November 24, 2016,.

[4]Missing Moline Flier Is Awarded Army Air Medal,” The Rock Island Argus, July 10, 1943, p. 14.

[5]Moline Officer Is Awarded Air Medal; Missing in Action,” The Dispatch, July 10, 1943, p. 3.

[6]Missing Moline Hero Father of Baby Girl,” The Dispatch, May 5, 1943, p. 11.

References

Bibliography

American Air Museum in Britain, November 24, 2016.

Lieut William Brooks Rawson.” Find a Grave, October 19, 2010.

Missing Moline Flier Is Awarded Army Air Medal.” The Rock Island Argus, July 10, 1943.

Missing Moline Hero Father of Baby Girl.” The Dispatch, May 5, 1943.

Moline Officer Is Awarded Air Medal; Missing in Action.” The Dispatch. July 10, 1943.

Wed in Texas.” The Daily Times. March 13, 1942.

William B Rawson in the U.S., Headstone and Interment Records for U.S., Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942-1949.” Ancestry, 2014.

William Brooks Rawson.” Veterans Legacy Memorial. Accessed August 11, 2022.